Police: Gunfire leads to I-95 chase, crash

BRIDGEPORT — A city teenager allegedly fleeing a shooting scene early Tuesday is accused of leading police on a high-speed chase to Norwalk, where he crashed near a car dealership.

Terriance Williams, 19, of Fairfield Avenue, was charged with illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, illegal possession of a large magazine, interfering with police, first-degree reckless endangerment and motor vehicle charges.

“This case exactly demonstrates the serious incidents that are plaguing this city and putting its citizens at risk,” Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Pamela Esposito said during Williams’ arraignment hearing Tuesday afternoon as Williams, his mask around his neck, watched from his cell in the courthouse lockup by video.

Esposito urged Superior Court Judge Peter McShane to set a high bond on Williams despite his young age and lack of criminal record.

“This was a serious incident, and these are significant charges,” the judge agreed. He ordered Williams held in lieu of $75,000 bond and continued the case to Jan. 14.

Williams was free about an hour later, after his mother posted bond.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday, police said, officers were called to the Greene Homes housing complex. Police said ShotSpotter recorded 37 gunshots at that location.

As officers approached the scene, police said a black sport utility vehicle suddenly sped off. Police said officers, believing the occupants may have been involved in the alleged shooting, pursued the SUV, which drove through numerous stop signs as it sped through the city’s West Side.

Police said the headlights of the SUV went off as it got onto Interstate 95 South.

State police joined the pursuit as the SUV continued at a high speed on the turnpike, nearly hitting other vehicles, police said.

At one point, state police attempted to stop the SUV using stop sticks, but it swerved around them and continued on the turnpike, police said.

Police said the SUV got off at the Route 7 Connector, where it continued to travel at high speed.

The SUV got off at Exit 2, but the driver apparently lost control on the exit ramp, speeding across New Canaan Avenue and crashing through the iron gates at a self-storage facility, police said.

Norwalk Police Sgt. Sofia Gulino said two of the suspects ran back on the connector to try to flee from police before they were apprehended. The third individual jumped into the nearby Norwalk River, but he was also captured, she said.

Gulino said none of the suspects or police officers were injured during the incident, though several vehicles at the Garavel Subaru dealership were damaged in the crash.

Police learned the vehicle the suspects were in was reported stolen out of Stratford.

Police said officers searched the SUV and found a handgun loaded with a 16-round magazine on the floor of the rear seat.

Police said a man later identified as Williams and three juveniles were arrested following a foot chase.

The three juveniles were charged with illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, possession of a large magazine of ammunition, interfering with an officer, reckless endangerment and engaging police in pursuit.

Williams