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Two Teens Arrested In Sweet 16 Shooting That Left Six Wounded In Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Bridgeport police have arrested two youths in connection with a November shooting in which six people were injured at a Sweet 16 party at a Park Avenue club.

The Bridgeport CT Police Department is asking for assistance in identifying anyone pictured in the showcased recording. Anyone with information please contact the Bridgeport Police Department utilizing our TIPS line at (203) 576-TIPS (8477).

Photo Credit: Bridgeport Police

Police were called to Club Sportivo at about 10:45 p.m. Nov. 12, after the party hosts began charging admission to an “after party” and a fight erupted with gunfire outside the club, police said.

Based on an investigation, police arrested a 15-year-old boy on Jan. 9, charging him with criminal attempt at first-degree assault, carrying a pistol without a permit, unlawful discharge of firearms, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree breach of peace, police said.

On Jan. 13, a 17-year-old boy was arrested and charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, unlawful discharge of firearms, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree breach of peace, police said.

Police did not name either of the juveniles.

The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible, police said.

“I want to thank the men and women of the Bridgeport Police Detective Bureau for their round-the-clock efforts and good, thorough police work that has led to the arrests of these two individuals,” said Bridgeport Police Chief Armando “AJ” Perez. “We will continue to investigate this crime until we bring all those responsible to justice. Bringing guns to a teenage sweet 16 and crashing the party, causing a ruckus where people end up getting shot is totally unacceptable. Playing around recklessly with illegal guns puts people’s lives in danger and we have zero tolerance for it in Bridgeport.”

Perez asked anyone with information on this incident to call the Bridgeport police anonymous tips line 203-576-TIPS or 203-576-8477.

On that evening, Bridgeport Police began to receive multiple calls about a large group of people fighting both inside and outside Club Sportivo. Police dispatch then began receiving 911 calls of “shots fired” at this location, police said.

About 20 officers responded to the scene and located five gunshot victims, who were transported to local hospitals, police said. Several days later, a sixth gunshot victim was located, who initially did not seek medical treatment, police said. 

All six survived their injuries.

Due to the complexity of the crime scene, all evidence processing was completed by the Bridgeport Police Department Identification Unit.

After speaking with multiple witnesses, victims and suspects, and reviewing surveillance of the scene and evidence, detectives determined the following:

On Nov. 12, Club Sportivo was rented out to the family of a 16-year-old girl for an invitation-only birthday party. However, around 10 p.m., the hosts of the party began to charge admission for an "after party,” police said.

Many people who were not invited to the Sweet 16 paid to enter and some were patted down for weapons by adult males, who appeared to be acting as security, police said.

About 20 minutes later, a fight erupted on the dance floor and spilled out into the vestibule, police said.

Several males were then seen displaying firearms inside the club. Several minutes later, shots were fired outside the club, police said.

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