An early morning standoff on Grand Street in The Hollow section of the city ended with a barricaded suspect who exchanged gunfire with the Bridgeport Police was taken into custody.
Officers initially responded to Grand Street at approximately 12:10 a.m. on Wednesday for a street fight. The first officer to arrive encountered the suspect, later identified as Roberto Martins, 53, of Bridgeport, who eventually fled into the side basement door of a house in the 600 block Grand Street. Martins then fired a gun four times at officers through the barricaded door. One of the officers returned fired. Nobody was struck by a bullet.
The Bridgeport Police Department’s Hostage Negotiation Unit arrived with the Emergency Services Unit (SWAT) and set up positions around the house. Martins was eventually talked into surrendering and came out of the basement unarmed. Two guns were recovered by police.
Two officers underwent a health evaluation after the incident. The department is not releasing their names at this time.
Martins was charged with:
Criminal Attempt Murder
Criminal Attempt Assault of a Public Safety Officer
Criminal Possession of a Firearm
Illegal Discharge of a Firearm.
His bond was set at $2 million.
The incident is still being investigated by the Bridgeport Police. The State Office of the Inspector General was called to the scene along with the Major Crime Squad of the Connecticut State Police. By statue, the Inspector General’s Office is required to independently investigate any incident during which a police officer discharges a gun.
Grand Street was closed between Catherine Street and Center Street well into the morning as the Major Crime Squad processed the scene.
Some nearby residents were evacuated from their homes during the standoff.
“These patrols officers acted heroically,” stated Detective Jeffrey Holtz, a spokesman for the Bridgeport Police. “The specialized units arrived quickly and performed the way they are trained. The department never wants to have an incident in which guns are discharged. However, if it occurs, this is the outcome we want – nobody injured and the suspect arrested and charged.”
A background check on Roberto Martins found he has a non-extraditable warrant for burglary out of Philadelphia. He was also targeted for alien removal in 2005. He is reported to be illegally in the United States at this time.
Any questions regarding his immigration status should be referred to Federal agencies.