Man Charged Monday In West Hartford Standoff

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Local police Monday arrested the man accused of barricading himself in a West Hartford apartment and charged him with firing bullets into a neighboring residence.

The West Hartford Police Department said Richard Budnick, 34, of West Hartford, was arrested by warrant at 4 p.m. Monday in connection with the incident.

According to the WHPD, He was charged with: illegal discharge of a firearm; second-degree reckless endangerment; and third-degree criminal mischief.

Budnick was held on a $20,000 surety bond pending his arraignment in Hartford Superior Court Tuesday.

The incident police said involved Budnick happened at 2:40 p.m. Friday.

That's when West Hartford police responded to the area of Hillcrest Avenue on a report of possible projectiles entering an apartment and causing wall damage.

No injuries were reported.

As part of the investigation, officers attempted make contact with the resident of the neighboring apartment at 161 Hillcrest Ave.

According to police, the resident barricaded himself in his apartment and refused to speak with police.

Police said the subsequent investigation determined the projectiles were, in fact, bullets fired through the wall from 161 Hillcrest Ave. and into 159 Hillcrest Ave.

"Tense Standoff Ends Peacefully In West Hartford"