9 Shot At Bridgeport Housing Complex; 1 Woman Struck While Taking Bath

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Nine people were shot early Thursday morning at a Connecticut public housing complex, including one who was killed and another who was struck while taking a bath when a bullet pierced the wall of her apartment, police said.

Shots were fired in a parking lot at the Trumbull Gardens Apartment Complex in Bridgeport, where a group had gathered at about 1 a.m., cops said. Police sources told the Connecticut Post the shootings may have been related to a birthday party.

At first, witnesses thought there were firecrackers in the crowd in the parking lot, but they scattered as people fell to the pavement.

"We believe that there are at least two shooters -- at least two, may have been more," Bridgeport police Chief Joseph Gaudett told reporters, including WCBS 880's Paul Murnane.

Savonnie McNeil, 37, was killed, authorities said. They say an elderly woman was shot in the back while she was in the bath inside her apartment.

Six men and three women were taken to hospitals.

Police said some of the victims' names are familiar to them.

Karen Bracey, who is related to McNeil through marriage, said he had problems but had moved on, adding, "He was a good man."

"These are boys that I watched grow up," she told Murnane. "Yes, I'm angry. I'm devastated that one of them is dead. Now my niece has to bury her children's father."

Bridgeport Hospital spokesman John Cappiello said one person has been treated and released and two others are in fair condition. The other victims are in serious but guarded condition at St. Vincent's hospital, authorities said. Several were undergoing surgery Thursday.

Officials are promising new security cameras and stepped-up programs for youths. Asked about funding issues, Mayor Bill Finch said police can respond elastically across the city, and for this case, resources are not going to be a problem.

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