Three people charged in West Hartford air rifle incident

Two juveniles and one adult were arrested following an incident in which a BB-style gun was allegedly fired at a group of people, “strikes both juvenile and adult victims,” ​​West Hartford police said.

West Hartford police said they learned of the incident at 1 p.m. Saturday when they received a complaint that the occupant of a black Mercedes Benz pointed a pellet gun at a person sitting outside the Whole Foods at 50 Raymond Road.

A short time later, the department received a complaint that the occupants of a black car had “shot several people with shotgun pellets near the intersection of Bishop Road and Farmington Avenue,” police said. “One of the victims was reportedly shot in the face. The victims sustained minor injuries and were evaluated at the scene by first responders.”

The suspect vehicle with the stolen license plate was found at the intersection of Park Road and Raymond Road, police said. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but “the driver of the vehicle gave chase,” police said.

Officers then successfully deployed a tire pressure valve and arrested two juveniles and an adult in the area of ​​the 600 block of Willard Avenue in Newington, West Hartford police said. The arrest was made with assistance from the Newington Police Department.

West Hartford police said a Surge XL Gel Blaster was found in the car.

Luis Ortiz-Perez, 18, of Berlin, was arrested and charged with 10 counts of second-degree reckless endangerment, one count of obstructing an officer, four counts of endangering a child, one count of conspiracy to endanger a child, seven counts of third-degree assault, one count of conspiracy to commit third-degree assault, eight counts of disturbing the public peace and one count of conspiracy to commit breach of the peace, police said.

“We are extremely grateful that no one was seriously injured in this incident and would like to thank the West Hartford Fire Department … and the Newington Police Department for their assistance,” Captain Daniel Moffo said in a statement.

Police said the investigation is currently ongoing. Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact West Hartford Police at (860) 523-5203 or use the WHPD anonymous tip line/email at (860) 570-8969 / [email protected].