Two men were rushed to the hospital after both were shot outside a convenience store on Anson Street about 4:45 p.m. Thursday.
The brazen shooting occurred as several people were out on the street, which is densely-populated with apartment houses.
In addition, two police officers were around the corner responding to a report that a pedestrian had been struck by a car on Hawkins Street.
Cops were searching for two suspects who fled on foot. They were described “loosely” as black or Hispanic males, police said.
What precipitated the shooting was not clear. Neighbors mentioned a feud simmering between groups of people, but would not provide any details.
The two male victims were shot near the Derby Mini Market at 51 Anson St. No names were released.
One victim — 21 years old — was shot in the chest and staggered down the road before collapsing on the north side of Anson at Fifth Street.
The second victim made his way to a relative’s home on Olivia Street before being taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Both gunshot victims are in stable condition, Lt. Justin Stanko said.
Article continues after the video of Stanko talking to reporters.
Police believe at least four shots were fired. A bullet struck an open door at the Mini Market and became embedded in an exterior wall. Another bullet hit the bottom of a multi-family house.
“It’s a brazen type of crime, especially in broad daylight with multiple people around. At the time there was anywhere from 15 to 20 people standing around,” Stanko said.
Police from Derby, Ansonia, and Shelton swarmed the area after the shooting was first reported, blocking off Anson Street between Fifth and Sixth streets with crime scene tape.
About a half-hour later, cops rushed from that scene to the Olivia Street duplex a block and a half away where the second victim had gone.
EMS personnel treated the man as he sat on the porch of the house before he was put on a stretcher and taken by ambulance to the hospital about 5:30 p.m.
The area remained an active crime scene more then three hours after the shooting.
“No one’s in custody,” Stanko said just before 8 p.m..
Investigators concentrated on a blue minivan parked outside an apartment house next to the Mini Mart.
Police know the shooters were at least in the vicinity of the minivan when the shots rang out. The minivan was put on a flatbed and taken from the scene about 7 p.m.
Investigators could be seen using string to trace bullet markings back to where the shooters may have been standing.
Stanko said police were not getting much cooperation with residents who live on Anson Street during initial interviews.
