Westport Police Assist at Fairfield Shooting; 15 Year Old Announced Dead

Fairfield Police Department Press Release: 

UPDATE:

Following the positive identification of the victim and notification of family, the Fairfield Police identify the victim from last evening’s homicide as:

• Zion Burton, 15, of Bridgeport

Zion’s 16th birthday would have been on 07/15/2022 and on behalf of Chief Robert Kalamaras and the entire Fairfield Police Department, we offer our most sincere condolences to Zion’s family. Our investigators are working diligently, pursuing several leads to apprehend the person(s) responsible.

Again, we ask anyone who may have information leading to the death of Zion, please contact the Fairfield Police Detective Bureau at 203-254-4840 or anonymous tips can be sent following the instructions below.

First Release:

On Saturday July 9, 2022 at approximately 10:30pm the Fairfield Police Emergency Communications Center received several 911 calls reporting shots fired at the banquet hall to Calvin United Church located on Kings Hwy East near Hibiscus Street.

First arriving officers located an unresponsive male victim in the hall and immediately began life saving measures. The victim was transported to Saint Vincent’s Medical Center by AMR where he died as a result of his injuries.

Soon thereafter, police received notice that a female victim had arrived at the hospital suffering a gunshot wound to the jaw. She is currently listed in stable condition.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a large party was taking place at the banquet hall which was rented to a non-member and non-resident. A physical fight began and a single gunshot was heard causing several people in the banquet hall to disperse to the street. As people exited the banquet hall, three additional people sustained minor injuries that were not related to gunfire, contrary to what was dispersed on several media and social media venues. This was a single gunshot fired, which resulted in 2 victims being struck. One of which is deceased and the other has been released from the hospital.

The Connecticut State Police, Westport Police, Stratford Police, and Easton Police were called to assist with crowd control as Fairfield officers secured the crime scene.

This was an isolated incident, which all of the evidence indicates that the suspect knew the victim and fled the scene shortly after the shooting.

The Fairfield Police Detective Bureau along with the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crimes Squad are actively investigating this incident.

Our department sends its deepest condolences to the family for this senseless loss of life.

Anyone with information can submit an anonymous tip which can be submitted via the Fairfield PD mobile app or by texting the keyword FPDCT plus your message/tip to 847411 (Tip411). Tips can also be submitted online at fpdct.com/tips.

(Note: When sending a tip by text message, text keyword FPDCT to 847411, add a space, type in your tip information, and hit send.)

One Arrested for Criminal Impersonation after Identity Theft

Press Release

On June 30, 2022, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Westport Police officers responded to the TD Bank located at 185 Main Street on a report that a man was attempting to fraudulently obtain a debit card by impersonating the real account holder.  The suspect was still in the bank when officers arrived.  He said his name was Edward Tucker and presented a Pennsylvania driver's license with that name.  The bank employee said that a Norwalk branch of TD Bank notified the Westport location that the suspect was supposedly trying to engage in the same fraudulent activity there and to be aware should he come to Westport.  The Norwalk bank also advised that they reached out to the real account holder who said he was still in PA.

The suspect reportedly admitted that his real name was William Schwarz, and it was determined that the PA driver's license in his possession was fake.  Mr. Schwarz also had in his possession a Wells Fargo bank card with the name Edward Tucker on it.

Mr. Schwarz was placed under arrest and charged with Identity Theft in the Second Degree, Forgery in the Second Degree, Criminal Impersonation, Payment Card Theft, Criminal Attempt at Illegal Use of a Payment Card, and Illegal Use of a Payment Card.  He was held on $50,000.00 bond and transported to Stamford Superior Court on July 1, to be arraigned.

Westport Police: Unlocked Doors Allowed Thieves to Steal from Cars Saturday

Westport Police Department Press Release: 

This past Saturday (6/25/22), the Westport Police Department investigated several motor vehicle burglaries, which occurred during the late afternoon and early evening hours. In all cases of vehicles being entered, which resulted in thefts, the doors were unlocked. Traditionally, this type of crime was committed during the overnight hours.  However, Westport and other communities are now seeing this activity at varying times of the day.  

The car burglaries that occurred on Saturday are being investigated by the department’s detective bureau.  Furthermore, additional patrols will be deployed as a preventative measure.

The Westport Police Department would like to take this opportunity to once again remind everyone to lock your car(s) and bring your keys/fobs inside. It is also important to remember to take valuables out of your car, such as cash, purses, wallets, and electronics. 

Should someone witness a person actively burglarizing a car, please call the police immediately and provide as much information as possible.  However, under no circumstances should anyone  confront the suspect(s). 

Police: One Person Shot at Wafu in Southport; Investigation Continues

Wafu Asian Bistro on Post Road in Southport. Image from Google Maps. 

Just after midnight, Westport Police officers responded to Wafu Asian Bistro in Southport on Post Road for the reported active shooter. Any shots fired had stopped prior to police arrival, however they found large crowds leaving the area and later found shell casings discharged from a gun, according to the Fairfield Police Department. One patient with a gunshot wound from the shooting was reported to have arrived at Bridgeport Hospital a short time later. Police are asking for any cell phone footage or pictures to assist in their investigation, with anonymous tip options available. The shooting is the second major event to strike the local sushi bar this year after Westport and Fairfield police departments responded to the location in February for the report of a large fight, with upwards of 20 people being pepper sprayed by someone in the crowd and dozens fleeing the area upon their arrival. (click to read more)

Fairfield Police Department Press Release:

On Sunday June 19, 2022 at approximately 0015hrs the Fairfield Police Emergency Communications Center received several 911 calls reporting shots fired at Wafu, 3671 Post Road, Southport. Westport Police also received several 911 calls reporting the same activity and sent officers to assist.

First arriving officers from Fairfield and assisting officers from Westport found a large crowd dispersing from inside of the restaurant to the parking lot area. Employees from the restaurant reported hearing shots fired following the altercation however there were no gunshot victims found by police.

Approximately ten minutes later, police were notified by Bridgeport Hospital that they were treating a gunshot victim who claims to have been shot in Southport.

A preliminary investigation revealed that an adult male sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and was suffering from non-life threatening injuries. Several items of evidentiary value were found on scene which include shell casings. This is an ongoing and active incident being investigated by the Fairfield Police Detective Bureau.

Anyone with information or may have video from their cell phone is asked to contact the Fairfield Police Detective Bureau at 203-254-4840.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via the Fairfield PD mobile app or by texting the keyword FPDCT plus your message/tip to 847411 (Tip411). Tips can also be submitted online at fpdct.com/tips.

(Note: When sending a tip by text message, text keyword FPDCT to 847411, add a space, type in your tip information, and hit send.)