Police Investigate Shooting Following Domestic Assualt

From Bill Kaempffer, public safety spokesman:

A 29-year-old man involved in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend was shot Friday night by a neighbor following a confrontation on Ridgefield Avenue.

Police officers were dispatched to 302 Ridgefield Ave. at about 10:15 p.m. on a report of a domestic dispute with shots fired.

Sgt. Jason Amato and Officer Ilidio Pereira arrived within minutes and were informed that the neighbor and the man suffering from a gunshot wound both were on the second floor of the house. As the officers ascended the stairs, the neighbor called out stating, “I’m up here and I have my gun. What do you want me to do with it?”

Amato looked around the corner and observed a male with his arms extended in front of him. He ordered the man to put down the gun and to put his hands over his head. The man immediately complied and was handcuffed.

The injured man, identified as Jose Torres, was transported to the hospital for treatment for a gunshot wound to the area of his groin.
Detectives responded to the scene. During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Torres and his girlfriend were involved in a domestic dispute. They had returned home with their son after picking up a to-go food order. According to the girlfriend, Torres became upset because he said his food order was incorrect. He wanted to return to the store and when she refused he became more upset, the woman said.

During the ensuing argument, Torres punched the girlfriend in the face.

The third-floor neighbors told police they heard a commotion downstairs and then knocking at their door. The husband opened the door and saw the young boy who lives downstairs. The boy asked for help because he said his father was assaulting his mother.

At that point, the upstairs neighbor began descending to the second floor and observed a female fleeing outside. He then encountered Torres.

The upstairs neighbor told police that Torres tried to grab the child. The neighbor stated he had his registered handgun with him and that several times he ordered Torres to get on the ground. He said Torres charged him and he fired the gun.
Police checking the second-floor apartment saw signs of a struggle, with food and plates thrown around the kitchen, an overturned television set and blood droplets.

Torres was charged with third-degree assault and risk of injury to a child. His wound is not life threatening. He was treated at Bridgeport Hospital.

The investigation is ongoing and, at this time, no charges have been filed against the man who fired the shot. Detectives have taken statements from witnesses and will confer with the State’s Attorney’s office as the investigation progresses.