Five people were injured in a mass shooting at the Brass Mill Center in Waterbury, Connecticut on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, when an argument escalated into gunfire just before 4:40 p.m., according to authorities.
The suspect, later identified as 19-year-old Tajuan Washington, opened fire with a semi-automatic pistol after confronting another man he had had previous disputes with near the shopping center’s main entrance. Washington struck the man and four women who were with him, according to Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr.
Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo emphasized that officers responded to reports of a disturbance at the 1.1-million square-foot shopping complex and found five victims with gunshot wounds. All victims were adults over 18 years old, with injuries ranging in severity. The victims, who were between 18 and their mid-20s, were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
By Wednesday morning, three of the five victims had been discharged from the hospital, while two remained in stable condition, including one woman who sustained a spinal injury from the shooting. Authorities confirmed no fatalities occurred in the incident.
Video footage that circulated online showed one gunshot victim outside a store, screaming in pain and pleading for assistance. The victim could be heard saying they could not move and desperately calling for help. Multiple witnesses described the chaotic scene as shoppers fled for safety throughout the massive mall complex.
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo stated that investigators do not believe this was a random act of violence, explaining that the shooting appeared to result from a conflict that escalated quickly between individuals who knew each other.
The gunman had reportedly been looking for someone inside the JCPenney store before opening fire, according to witness accounts. One witness described the scene as extremely emotional and chaotic, telling people to evacuate the area immediately.
Washington fled the scene following the shooting but was apprehended by police as a person of interest late Tuesday night. He was formally charged Wednesday with five counts of first-degree assault and additional weapons charges. The suspect was being held on a $2 million bond and was scheduled to appear in court last Wednesday.
Investigators discovered that Washington was already out on a $25,000 bond for separate charges, including reckless driving. He had been arrested in October for driving 105 miles per hour on Interstate 84 East and turning off his vehicle’s lights to evade state police, according to court records.
During the investigation, authorities executed a search warrant at Washington’s residence and recovered rifles, though they were still searching for the specific firearm used in the mall shooting. Police Chief Spagnolo noted that officers recovered evidence related to firearms at the scene but declined to provide specific details.
The shooting forced many shoppers and mall employees to shelter in place throughout the facility. Police conducted a methodical store-by-store search of the entire mall using K9 units to ensure no additional threats remained. Officers found some people who had taken shelter during the incident and safely escorted them outside.
Spagnolo praised both mall patrons and staff for their response during the emergency, noting they helped keep people safe and guided evacuations. He indicated their actions likely prevented the situation from becoming significantly worse.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont called the shooting tragic and emphasized that everyone should feel safe at shopping centers. The governor expressed his condolences to the Waterbury community and the victims’ families affected by the incident.
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including Waterbury Police, Connecticut State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Authorities were reviewing surveillance footage and gathering digital evidence as part of their ongoing investigation.
Mayor Pernerewski assured the public that the mall was safe for shopping, describing the incident as a one-off occurrence. The Brass Mill Centre is located near Interstate 84 in Waterbury, approximately 33 miles southwest of Hartford, Connecticut’s capital city.
