Five people were injured Tuesday afternoon, May 27, when a 19-year-old gunman opened fire at the Brass Mill Center shopping mall in Waterbury, Connecticut, following what authorities described as a targeted confrontation rather than a random act of violence.
The shooting occurred just before 4:40 p.m. near the main entrance of the 1.1-million square-foot shopping complex when an argument escalated into gunfire. Police identified the suspect as Tajuan Washington, a Waterbury native who was out on $25,000 bond for previous charges, including reckless driving.
Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. explained during a Wednesday news conference that Washington confronted another man with whom he had a history of conflict. The gunman struck the male victim and four women who were with him. All five victims were between 18 and their mid-20s, according to police officials.
Washington used a semi-automatic pistol to fire seven rounds during the incident, authorities reported. Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo indicated that officers arrived at the chaotic scene within minutes of the gunfire erupting around 4:45 p.m., initially uncertain whether an active shooter remained on the premises.
The suspect was apprehended late Tuesday night and charged Wednesday with five counts of first-degree assault along with additional weapons charges. He is being held on $2 million bond and was expected to appear in court Wednesday.
Washington had been arrested in October for driving 105 miles per hour on Interstate 84 East and turning off his lights to evade state police pursuit. This previous incident had resulted in charges for reckless driving and other offenses, for which he was released on the $25,000 bond.
By Wednesday morning, three of the five shooting victims had been discharged from area hospitals. The remaining two victims were listed in stable condition, including one woman who sustained a spinal injury from the gunfire. Police confirmed there were no fatalities from the incident.
Video footage that circulated online captured the immediate aftermath of the shooting, showing one apparent victim outside a store calling for assistance. Mayor Pernerewski emphasized that mall employees responded effectively during the crisis, guiding shoppers to safety and helping maintain order during the evacuation.
The shooting sent terrified shoppers running for their lives throughout the massive shopping center. Many people who were shopping when the gunfire began sheltered in place throughout the complex while law enforcement secured the area.
Connecticut State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined the Waterbury Police Department in the ongoing investigation. When authorities executed a search warrant at Washington’s residence, they discovered rifles, though they are still searching for the specific weapon used in the mall shooting.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont attended Wednesday’s press conference alongside law enforcement officials. The Democratic governor urged residents not to be intimidated by such incidents and noted the concerning escalation from what began as a personal dispute.
Lamont pointed out that what started as some sort of argument between individuals known to each other escalated to gun violence instead of ending with a physical altercation. He expressed concern about the use of semi-automatic weapons in personal conflicts.
Police officials stressed that this was not a random act of violence targeting innocent shoppers but rather a targeted incident between individuals with a pre-existing conflict. Authorities confirmed there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
The mayor reassured the community that the Brass Mill Center remains safe for shopping, describing the incident as a one-off occurrence. Law enforcement praised the quick response of both police officers and mall staff in managing the emergency situation.
Investigators continue to examine the specific details surrounding the dispute between Washington and the male victim that led to the violent confrontation. The case highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence and the availability of firearms to individuals with pending criminal charges.
The Waterbury mall shooting represents another incident of gun violence in a public space, though authorities emphasized the targeted nature of this particular attack distinguished it from random mass shooting events that have occurred elsewhere across the country.
