3 arrested for shooting pellet gun into crowd in West Hartford

Luis Ortiz-Perez, photograph courtesy of the West Hartford Police Department.

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – Police report three teenagers were arrested Saturday after firing a pellet gun into an open crowd and leading police on a chase in West Hartford.

At 1 p.m., West Hartford Police received a complaint of a black Mercedes Benz pointing a BB gun at customers outside of the Whole Foods on Raymond Road. Shortly after, police received a similar complaint near the intersection of Bishop Road and Farmington Avenue.

The second complaint stated that people in the black car shot several people at the intersection. First responders assessed all victims at the scene. They were slightly injured.

West Hartford police identified the suspect's car at the intersection of Park Road and Raymond Road. Police attempted a traffic stop and the vehicle fled the scene.

Police gave chase and were able to stop the vehicle in Newington using a tire deflation device.

With the assistance of Newington Police, WHPD apprehended three juveniles: Luis Ortiz-Perez, 18, of Berlin, and two juveniles. A “Surge XL gel blaster” was found with them in the car.

The identities of the two minors have not been released, but both were arrested. Ortiz Perez was arrested and held on $250,000 bail.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the West Hartford Police Department at (860) 523-5203.