One dead in Ansonia shooting

Ansonia, Conn (WTNH) - Ansonia police are investigating a shooting on Wakelee Avenue Wednesday evening that has left one man dead.

Just after 6:00pm, Ansonia police responded to several 9-1-1 calls of a possible stabbing or shooting outside the Xtra Mart on Wakelee Avenue.

In front of the gas pumps the victim, a 25-year-old male, was dying.

"The victim did suffer from gunshot wounds," Ansonia Police Lieutenant Andrew Koda said.

The flashing lights and crime tape drew crowds of neighbors, who told News 8 this is normally a quiet neighborhood.

"It's just scary. We walk our 2-year-old niece, the dog... There's children walking all by themselves all the time. They go to the store by themselves, it's crazy," Ansonia resident Stephanie Trcka said.

A canine unit tried tracking two suspects, who police say abandoned the vehicle in the gas station parking lot, and then fled on foot. At this point detectives believe the shooting took place inside the car. Somehow, the wounded victim, believed to be the driver, got out, staggered away, and the collapsed on the ground.

"No one who was at the store, because there were people in the store, and over by the gas pumps, were injured. It looks like what we're finding happened inside the vehicle," said Koda.

This is the second deadly shooting in Ansonia in seven days. Last Wednesday, a male was shot to death on Root Avenue, about a mile from this crime scene.

When asked if he thought this shooting was retaliation, Koda said, "Unknown at this point. We don't even know who the victim is at this point, so we can't even see if the names match to see if it's anybody that may be involved in our previous homicide."

"It's very sad. A lot of kids come out here, and it's starting to get nice out, and it's [violent crime] not around here usually. It's really sad," resident Lauri Carroll said.

Ansonia and state police are continuing their investigation. If you have any information related to this shooting you're asked to call Ansonia police at 203-735-1885.