Crime & Safety
Pistol Whipping In West Hartford Results In Charges For Hartford Man
The West Hartford PD said it has charged a 27-year-old Hartford man in connection with a Sept. 10 pedestrian-motorist dispute.
WEST HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man has been charged in connection with a violent pistol-whipping incident in West Hartford on Sept. 10 during a motorist-pedestrian confrontation.
According to the West Hartford Police Department Monday afternoon, the suspect charged has been identified as Edwin Franqui, 27, of Hartford.
He has been charged with second-degree assault with a firearm; second-degree breach of peace; and reckless driving.
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Franqui was taken into custody by federal officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Homeland Security Division and the Los Angeles Police Department, the WHPD said.
The suspect was detained Sept. 13 at Los Angeles International Airport, with the WHPD still working with Los Angeles authorities on extraditing Franqui to Connecticut.
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He is currently being held in California on $5 million bond.
According to West Hartford police, officers were called to the area of 11 S. Main St. at about 2:08 a.m. for a report of a person pistol-whipped in the head.
Police said first responders were able to provide medical aid and the injuries were not life-threatening.
Citing victim testimony, police said the victim and a group of pedestrians were walking in the parking lot behind 977 Farmington Ave., which is a plaza in a busy shopping area in town.
According to the victim, a vehicle was seen driving erratically while attempting to exit the same parking lot, nearly striking the group walking there, according to police.
During the resulting confrontation, a suspect — later identified as Franqui — left the vehicle, displayed a handgun and struck the victim on the top of the head.
The vehicle and its occupants then fled the scene, police said.
Franqui was identified as the suspect following "extensive investigative efforts," police said.
Any member of the public with information regarding this, or other incidents, can contact the West Hartford Police Department through the WHPD Tip Line/e-mail at 860)-570-8969 / whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov.
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