NORWICH, Conn. — A midday shooting in downtown Norwich Thursday resulted in at least two people being injured and the nearby courthouse going into lockdown, according to sources.
Norwich Police said two people were shot near Main Street and Franklin Street.
Police arrested 18-year-old suspect Jamel Pires who faces a number of charges including attempted murder and assault.
Police are also looking for the driver of a car that left the scene; they are wanted for questioning.
The owner of a Chinese restaurant near the rotary, at Franklin and Main streets, told FOX61 off camera that two men were arguing after they left the restaurant. Then, she said she heard several gunshots. So, she ducked behind the counter.
"It's disturbing," said Kim Strong, who's lived in Norwich for five years. "I mean it's a downtown area. I mean we're supposed to be safe here."
Police said Pires left the area with a gun and was later found and arrested.
The gunshots struck at least two people in or near the rotary, according to police sources. One of the victims sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The other took a bullet to the leg, they were later released from the hospital.
"Unfortunately this happens all the time and I just - I don't understand why they do this. But it happens," said William Hirschfeld, who lives several blocks from the shooting scene on Oak Street, where there was a large police presence.
"I stepped out of my apartment and I saw a guy running up the street being followed him were a bunch of police cars and people telling him to get on the ground and don't move," Hirschfeld said.
Police sources said the male shooting suspect was apprehended outside of a home at 16 Oak Street, where residents told him to get out of their first-floor hallway. Initially, the suspect was hiding behind the next-door home, which has a Ring doorbell camera, and a resident whose identity we concealed.
"I was at the nail salon and I seen it on my camera," the resident said. "So I'm glad I wasn't home because I have kids here."
Police said the driver of a car that left the scene is also wanted for questioning.
Norwich Police are looking for a Black 2021 Nissan Rogue. The rental car has a smashed out driver side window with the license plate BC98410.
Pires is being held on a $750,000 bond and is set to appear in court Friday.
Elisha Machado is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at emachado@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Tony Terzi is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at tterzi@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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