One killed, one hospitalized in Bridgeport shooting

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) -- One person was killed and another was taken to the hospital with leg wounds after a shooting in Bridgeport Thursday.

The shooting occurred on Hallett Street.

When police arrived they found one person lying on the street unresponsive. The individual was pronounced dead on the scene.

"He was one of those good kids, fly kids," said A.J. Hunt, friend of victim, "like to go to the mall, now he can't do that no more."

Hunt said his friend was just 17 years old and he spoke with his family.

"I just told them to hold on, try to be good and pray for them," Hunt said, "do the best they can do for him."

Police say the teen died around 3:30 p.m. after witnesses say they saw a van with several people inside, drive up and open fire.

Police said a van was in the area at the time of the shooting and then sped off.

The van was found unoccupied a short time later in a different section of the city. Police are searching it for evidence.

A second victim was located in a backyard with a gunshot wound to his leg.

"It's been a tumultuous past couple of weeks for us all over the city," said Detective Keith Bryant.

Neighbors poured out of their homes and watched the police work Thursday. Grieving families are too common in Bridgeport, they say the senseless loss of life needs to stop.

"We afraid for the kids safety, especially now in the summer with the kids outside," said Luz Burgos. "They got to do something to stop this violence."

"I'm very angry, I'm angry," said Lydia Hamilton. "It's sad, disgusted. It's sad."

"The Chief and his officers are doing everything they can to tackle this problem, and it's clear we need to work harder to curtail the spread of illegal guns," said Mayor Bill Finch. "We need everyone's assistance in the community to do more, we need you to reach out to our young people and engage them in productive activities before they make choices which will they will then spend a lifetime regretting."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Detective Bureau at 203-581-5201.