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 ReleaseOn 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.)
Starbucks Drive Thru (or Over)
Westport police officers were on scene this morning after a motor vehicle apparently lost control, mounted the curb, and then drove over a small boulder at the entry to Starbucks on Post Road East. Contributed photo.
19 Year Old New Jersey Man arrested after Stealing Checks from Westport Mailboxes; Held on $100k Bond
Westport Police Department: On January 20, 2022, a resident came to the Westport Police Department to report a larceny. The complainant said that she placed a check in a post office mailbox and sometime after doing so the check was stolen. The name of the payee was changed to Donnell Jackson and the amount was also altered. The complainant confirmed that she never wrote a check to anyone by that name and is not familiar with the individual.
The detective assigned to the case, determined that the check was purportedly deposited into the account of Donnell Jackson at a Bank of America branch in Iselin, NJ. Additional evidence tying Mr. Jackson to this crime was obtained. A warrant for Mr. Jackson’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court judge.
On the morning of June 8, 2022, Mr. Jackson was arrested by Westport detectives. Per the warrant, he was charged with Forgery in the Second Degree, Larceny in the Third Degree, and Fraudulent Use on an Automated Teller Machine. Mr. Jackson was held on a $100,000.00 bond and transported to Stamford Superior Court the morning of June 9, to be arraigned.
Police: Expect Downtown Delays next Saturday
Westport Police Department Press Release: The Westport Downtown Merchants Association will be holding an outdoor downtown shopping event next Saturday, June18th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This event will necessitate the closure of Main Street between Post Road East and Elm Street from 7:00 AM until 6:00 PM on June 18th. These road closures will result in traffic congestion downtown and increased pedestrian traffic as the Yankee Doodle Fair is also being held that afternoon on Imperial Avenue.
Motorists should expect delays in the center of town due to these closures. The Police Department asks that pedestrians utilize the marked crosswalks and motorists use extra caution while driving through the area.
Police Report School Employee Fell Asleep while Intoxicated at Work; Arrested for Risking Injury to Child
Westport Police Department Release
Westport Police Department contributed photoOn November 23, 2021, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Westport Police detectives responded to Greens Farms Elementary School on a report that a staff member was possibly impaired. Upon arrival, detectives learned that Speech and Language Pathologist Michelle Babin allegedly fell asleep while providing educational instruction to a student. The investigation further revealed that it purportedly took staff at least thirty seconds to wake Ms. Babin and when she finally did wake up, she was reportedly mumbling incoherently. Additionally, she purportedly had the odor of alcohol on her breath. Ms. Babin was ultimately transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation.
The detectives conducted an extensive investigation and concluded that the student in question was not being appropriately supervised while in Ms. Babin’s care because she was reportedly both asleep as well as possibly intoxicated when she was supposed to be instructing him. This put the child at great risk of being injured. A warrant for Ms. Babin’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.
On the afternoon of December 30, 2021, Ms. Babin turned herself in at the Westport Police Department. Per the warrant, she was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child. Ms. Babin was released after posting a $75,000.00 bond and was arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on January 5, 2022.
Man Arrested for Smacking Child; Charged with Risk of Injury to a Minor, Out on $50,000 Bond
Westport Police Department ReleaseOn September 1, 2021, Westport Police detectives began to investigate the possible abuse and/or neglect of a minor. It was alleged that in early April of 2021, an individual identified as Anjelu Sajetta hit a child across the face with an open hand. Based on the investigation, a warrant for Mr. Sajetta’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.
On the afternoon of December 23, 2021, Mr. Sajetta was taken into custody by members of the Stratford Police Department and turned over to Westport officers. Per the warrant, he was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child. Mr. Sajetta was released after posting a $50,000.00 bond and was arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on December 27, 2021.
Man Rescued from Waters off of Saugatuck Shores at Sunrise
Westport Police Department ReleaseAt approximately 5:55 a.m. this morning, Westport Police officers responded to Saugatuck Shores on a report of an elderly male who was missing. Several officers immediately began to search the area and a short time later the missing man was spotted partially submerged in the water.
Given the temperature of the water, it was imperative that the officers immediately begin efforts to rescue the individual. A canoe owned by a private citizen was located close by and deployed. One officer held the man’s head above the water while several others lifted him into the canoe. Once the man was safely in the canoe he was brought to the shoreline where personnel from the Westport Fire Department assisted with removing him from the vessel and then brought him to waiting EMS personnel. EMS evaluated the man on scene, and he was transported to the hospital for further treatment. While the man’s condition is unknown at this time, any injuries he may have sustained did not appear to be life threatening.
Chief Koskinas stated he was very proud of the of the officers who were involved in this rescue. “There is no doubt that these officers’ quick thinking and superior teamwork led to a positive outcome.” The Chief also extended his thanks to both the Fire Department and EMS for the valuable assistance that they provided.