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Suspect In Custody In Shooting Death Of Bridgeport Construction Worker

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Bridgeport Chief of Police Joseph Gaudett has identified the suspect apprehended in the Thursday morning shooting death of a construction worker at a site “just around the block” from Police Headquarters. 

The press conference with Bridgeport police on the Thursday homicide in the city's North End.

Photo Credit: pjfH63QRs9YPqMw4uVcCcw
Gregory Weathers, 33, of Saunders Avenue, was arrested in connection with a shooting death at a construction site in Bridgeport.

Gregory Weathers, 33, of Saunders Avenue, was arrested in connection with a shooting death at a construction site in Bridgeport.

Photo Credit: Bridgeport Police Department

“We are still trying to find out why this happened,” said Gaudett, visibly shaken by the two homicides that have occurred over the past two days in Bridgeport.

Gregory Weathers, 33, of Saunders Avenue, was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of construction worker, 30-year-old Jose Araujo, at about 9 a.m., he said.

Araujo, a Milford resident, worked for the Burns Construction Co., and police have found no connection between Weathers and his victim.

Weathers had first approached a company foreman and inquired about a job. The foreman referred him to the company office to fill out an application. Weathers walked away but returned a short time later. 

Weathers, for “no apparent reason,” approached Araujo, who was working in a trench on Chopsey Hill Road  near Pond Street in Bridgeport's North End, and fired five shots into him from a revolver, Gaudett said. Araujo was taken  to St. Vincent’s Medical Center, where he died.

Two officers who were at the road construction site to direct traffic pursued the suspect on foot, set up a perimeter and were able to corral Weathers, who immediately confessed, the chief said.

The suspect was apprehended behind a house on Saunders Avenue near his home, he said. 

Gaudett congratulated the patrol officers for their quick and successful response and to the Detective Bureau for quickly opening an investigation. Detectives will be executing a search warrant at Weathers' home, he said.

At this time, police have yet to determine a motive, Gaudett said, calling the shooting death a “tragedy."

Police have not determined with Weathers has a mental illness, Gaudett said, and are investigating that angle. They are also looking into the legality of the firearm recovered by officers.

It was the second deadly shooting in two days in the area. A 32-year-old clerk at the nearby T Market on Reservoir Avenue was fatally shot multiple times in the torso on Wednesday morning. No arrests have been made in that homicide. 

When asked, because of their proximity, whether the shootings were related, Gaudett said no connection has been made.

“While yesterday’s shooting seems to be deliberate, targeted,” he said, “this one makes no sense.”

Police were still investigating whether Weathers has had run-ins with Bridgeport police in the past, he said.

Gaudett, who struggled at times to find the right words during the press conference, said he wanted to first and foremost send his condolences to Araujo’s family.

 

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