BRIDGEPORT POLICE ARREST MAN FOR FIRING RIFLE ON STRATFORD AVENUE TUESDAY AS SCHOOLCHILDREN FLEE (Chief’s Statement Below)
The Bridgeport Police Department arrested a 26-year-old man from Shelton after he fired multiple rounds from an assault rifle on Stratford Avenue during rush hour on Tuesday morning, forcing numerous schoolchildren to run to safety.
At 8:37 a.m. on Tuesday, the department received a ShotSpotter Activation on Wilmot Avenue that detected three gunshots fired. Second later, the Dispatch Center received a call from a man saying he just fired his gun and was not sure if he had shot anybody.
Officers located the caller, Jailan May, on Central Avenue. He was wearing camouflage body armor. May was standing next to his car, which had a broken window. There was a brick inside the car near that window. May told officers he had numerous guns with him.
May told officers that minutes earlier, he was parked on Stratford Avenue fixing his car with the hood open, when he saw a man nearby who had previously threatened him. May said that man began throwing bricks at him. He said that when his window shattered, he thought he was being shot at and fired his rifle at the man.
Video from the city’s Fusion Center showed May fired his rifle in the direction of children who were walking to school. The video also showed those children then running away. There were also school buses close by when May fired.
Students at both Dunbar School and Tisdale School reported the shooting to school officials. No students were hurt.
Administrators at both schools provided counseling to the students affected.
May had the rifle, three handguns, numerous magazines and dozens of bullets in possession. He had a valid State of Connecticut Pistol Permit, which was confiscated by police.
Jailan May was arrested and charged with Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree. Illegal Discharge of a Firearm and Illegal Sale/Distribution of Body Armor.
He was given a bond of $500,000.
Another car on Stratford Avenue at the time of the shooting was also damaged by a brick.
The incident is still under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at: (203) 576-TIPS.
BRIDGEPORT POLICE CHIEF ISSUES STATEMENT ON TUESDAY’S STRATFORD AVENUE SHOOTING
Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter issued a statement today regarding the arrest of a 26-year-old Shelton man for recklessly firing a rifle on Stratford Avenue at 8:37 a.m. Tuesday.
Jailan May told police he shot at a man across the street who had previously threatened him. May said he believed the man was firing at him when his car window shattered. It was determined the man threw a brick at May’s car.
The shots were fired in the direction of several children who were walking to school. There were also school buses nearby. Nobody was injured.
Jailan May was charged with Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree and Illegal Discharge of a Firearm. He may face additional charges. May had several guns with him at the time of the incident. He had a valid pistol permit.
The incident is still under investigation.
“The Bridgeport Police Department is extremely thankful nobody was injured,” said Chief Porter. “The children were not the targets of these senseless and irresponsible actions. We are saddened they have gone through this experience.”
“Our dispatchers and officers were decisive,” added Chief Porter. “With the help our ShotSpotter System and city cameras, officers were able to conduct a thorough investigation quickly and make this arrest. The State Police Firearms Unit is being advised of what occurred with this permit holder. Owning guns and being issued a permit bring with it safety, responsibility, respect and caution, none of which was exercised Tuesday morning.”
“We have worked hard to make the East End safer,” stated Chief Porter. “Shootings there are down. We are determined to not let this undo our progress.”