Christopher Davis, the 35-year-old tow truck driver from Hamden who was shot while trying to repossess a minivan in Ansonia Wednesday, was scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday afternoon at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
That was the word from Superior Court in Derby Thursday, where the suspected shooter, Efrain Rodriguez, 30, faced a judge.
Davis was shot in the knee in a driveway on Reichelt Terrace, where Rodriguez lives. Davis was attempting to repossess a vehicle outside the residence. Rodriguez became angry and shot Davis, point blank, police said.
Rodriguez’s companion, Sabrina Vazquez, 30, was charged with interfering with a police officer because she tried to take credit for shooting Davis, police said. She’s due in Derby court March 15.
Rodriguez did not enter a plea during his brief court appearance. Judge Burton Kaplan set his bond at $150,000 — down from the original $250,000 set by police Wednesday.
Rodriguez was charged with first-degree assault, carrying a pistol without a permit, criminal possession of a pistol and violation of a protective order, because he was not supposed to be near Vazquez.
At the arraignment, Judge Kaplan said there was no probable cause for criminal use of a firearm, a charge lodged by police immediately after the shooting.
Rodriguez also has a third-degree assault charge pending in Bridgeport.
A public defender said Rodriguez also has two prior convictions — one involving a motor vehicle infraction and one for interfering with an officer.
According to court documents, a 9 mm Smith & Wesson, a 25-inch aluminum bat and a folding knife were among items seized from the scene.
Rodriguez’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 22 in Derby.
The case may be transferred to the Superior Court in Milford, where more serious crimes are heard.
