Daniel Tepfer
BRIDGEPORT -- Carrying signs
that read, "Double standard breeds mistrust," and "The law
perverted," self-proclaimed "gun lovers" braved the snowy
weather Monday night to protest the lack of an immediate arrest of a city police
officer who accidentally shot himself in a crowded bagel shop.
"If we had been involved
in horseplay with a firearm in a bagel shop, we would have been taken out in
handcuffs," James Keyser said as he stood in a puddle of slush outside the
Bridgeport Police Department. "But here it is, 42 days later, and he
hasn't been charged with anything."
This is the second time the
half-dozen men have protested the lack of an arrest in the case of Officer Juan
Santiago, a 28-year veteran of the department. Both times, the weather has been
inclement.
The protestors said they were
too upset about the issue to let bad weather thwart their message.
"The right thing to do
here is just so clear," said Palin Smith, of Woodbury. "I love
police, but it irritates me to see them treated differently."
On Dec. 17, Santiago was
examining a friend's gun in Bagel King on Main Street when the gun went off.
The bullet went through his leg and shattered a window in the crowded
restaurant.
Santiago, who was not
immediately charged, was treated and released from the hospital soon after the
incident. The State Police were then summoned to investigate.
Bridgeport State's Attorney
John Smriga said he expects the state investigation to be finished
"shortly." In the meantime, Santiago is on desk duty with the
department.
The protesters said this second
demonstration was triggered by the Bridgeport police's recent arrest of a man
who had accidentally fired his gun at home while cleaning it.
Officers responded to the home
of 23-year-old Kenneth Sullivan, of Midland Street, on Jan. 28 after a report
of a gunshot in the area. A bullet allegedly pierced a wall and struck the
house next door. Sullivan reportedly told police his gun went off while he was
cleaning it.
Sullivan was arrested that day
and charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, second-degree reckless
endangerment and criminal mischief in the third degree. He was released after
posting $1,500 bond.
In a statement, Police Chief
Joseph Gaudett denied there was any impropriety in handling Santiago's
incident.
"Some people are working
on the false assumption that the incident is being swept under some rug because
the person is a police officer," Gaudett said. "The reality is we
requested the Connecticut State Police handle the investigation to ensure the
public would have confidence that the process would be fair, objective and
impartial."
On Monday, the protesters vowed
to keep the pressure on city police until Santiago is arrested.
"We are not going
away," Keyser said.
