WATERBURY, Conn — A Waterbury teenager remains in the hospital Monday night after police said he was shot at a Saturday night birthday party at a home on Silver Street.
“I pray for him. I pray he has a good recovery,” said Terri Mathison, whose good friend lives down the street from the crime scene.
However, court documents show the 14-year-old victim was taken to the hospital for emergency surgery, had to get his kidney removed, and may have brain damage.
“I’m very concerned. It’s really terrible and sad,” Mathison said.
Now, 35-year-old Axel Maldonado is facing seven charges in connection to the teen’s injuries including: Criminal Attempt at Murder with Special Circumstances, Assault in The First Degree, Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree, Risk Of Injury To A Minor, Criminal Use Of A Firearm, Carrying A Pistol Without A Permit, Illegal Transfer of A Firearm, and Illegal Alteration Of Firearm.
Maldonado faced a judge for the first time in Waterbury Monday morning.
“Doesn’t have a Connecticut record. Does have a Puerto Rico record from 2012 for sexual assault,” said a bail services representative in court.
From those charges, Maldonado is a registered sex offender.
Prosecutors said he’s lived in the state for eight years and has ties to Stafford Springs and Waterbury.
Court documents revealed an account from a witness who told police he bought a gun illegally, and Maldonado allegedly asked to borrow it. The document said, “Three weeks ago Axel asked me if he can hold onto the gun but did not say for what or how long. Tonight we were all hanging out at for the birthday. Axel told me at the party that he got bullets for the gun from a friend that were old and dirty but he cleaned them up and put them in the gun and in the fanny pack I gave it to him in. I didn't see the gun before the shooting but assumed he had it on him. So I know were hanging in the front of the house and looking back I know that Axel said something to me like he was going to mess with the kids.”
Another account in the warrant came from a juvenile, who didn’t know Maldonado’s name, but knew his relation to the victim.
The document, which has several redactions to protect witnesses, reads that person told police, “We saw ___ raise his hands at one of the little kids like he was going to hit them. We felt uncomfortable so we went outside and decided to walk to the corner store. We walked back to {the victim’s} house and were hanging in the front hallway staircase. {The victim} walked up right up to him and was standing face to face with him. He asked {the victim} "what are you looking at" and {the victim} said "nothing I am sorry". ___ grabbed him with one arm and pulled him into his body. ___ took a silver gun from his fanny pack and stuck it up against {the victim’s} stomach area. ___ then shot {the victim} one time.”
However, Maldonado’s attorney said the evidence in the warrant doesn’t show intent.
“The allegations are construed in a light most favorable to the state,” the attorney said in court.
The judge set Maldonado’s bond at $1 million. He is due back in court on Nov. 15th.
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