Stamford Man Charged with Attempted Murder in 2011 Shooting

Stamford Police announced Thursay the arrest of a Stamford man in connection to a Nov. 2011 shooting that left one man with life-altering injuries and a suspect charged with criminal attempt at murder.

According to Sgt. Paul Guzda, on Nov. 9, 2011, a Nicholas "Uncle Nick" Reid, community staple, and Roland Newton, 25, of Sterling Dr. in Stamford's Springdale section, were both separately hanging out in the area of Irving Avenue, out front of what was at the time Morales Grocery.

According to Guzda, Newton allegedly had intentions of robbing Reid, and approached Reid's vehicle while it was parked. At approximately 7 p.m., the two became involved in an argument, from which Reid attempted to drive away.

Guzda alleges Newton pulled out a .357 magnum revolver and fired into the vehicle while it was still next to him, then continued firing as the car moved down the street. A single round punched its way through the car and struck Reid in the head, causing him to crash into another parked vehicle there. 

The weapon forensics would later prove to be the gun used in the crime was recovered roughly a block away.

This incident occurred on the city's West Side, an area notoriously difficult to cultivate witnesses to crimes committed there. However, Guzda said there was a sense of frustration and a special variable in this case.

"It took us a little while dealing with the witnesses, finding those willing to come forwards. There was still some reluctance, but we used perserverence and stayed on it," Guzda said. "The victim was well liked and the community seemed to have had enough with these seneless-type crimes."

Guzda said Newton's name surfaced early on in the investigation, but it took police a while to process all the information they'd gathered. He said the pair were aware of each other's existence, but there seemed to be no reason the incident occurred.

"They did know each other through a neighborhood relationship," Guzda said. "But there seemed to be no particular reason, No history of a feud. All indications point to this being an attempted robbery that went seriously wrong."

Conklin said Newton was known to the police and had been arrested a number of times before. Authorities also clarified they didn't believe any additional arrests would be forthcoming, and belive Newton acted alone.

"This was a very nice arrest," Conklin said. "It was nice work by [Guzda] and the crew. They didn't let it lie and it culminated in an arrest... I can't say enough about their hardwork. This case took a lot of twists and turns."

Guzda said a number of other agencies assisted with the investigation and heralded the members of his team, Officers Frank Laccona, Mike Dibella and Rich Byxbee as well as Crime Scene Investigator Ed Rondano. 

Newton was charged with criminal attempt at murder. He was held on a $250,000 bond.

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Stamford Arrests

Stephanie Cooper, 23, of Glennville St. in Greenwich, charged early Thursday with evading responsibility in a motor vehicle, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, following too closely to a non-commercial vehicle and failure to insure a private motor vehicle.

Amanda Jovita Green, 26, homeless, charged early Thursday with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lashona Kavonne Hill, 36, of Kingsbury Rd. in Bridgeport, charged Wednesday evening with two counts second-degree failure to appear.

Jose Velez Horton, 31, of Pacific St., charged Wednesday morning with disorderly conduct.

William Thomas Lewis, 25, of Hall Pl., charged Wednesday night with possession of a controlled substance, sale of a controlled substance and interfering with an officer/resisting.

Nathalie Lopez, 20, of Seaside Ave., charged Wednesday night with possession of narcotics, obtaining drugs illegally and failure to respond to a payable violation.

Gary Albert Medley, 23, of W. Washington Blvd., charged Wednesday night with possession of a controlled substance, sale of a controlled substance, second-degree hindering prosecution and engaging police in a pursuit. 

Fred Santaliz, 32, homeless, charged early Thursday with obtaining drugs illegally.

Diane M. Seeley, 51, of Scofield Ave., charged Wednesday morning with credit card theft by transfer, credit card fraud, third-degree identity theft, fifth-degree larceny, sixth-degree larceny and attempt to commit sixth-degree larceny.

Christopher James Wasberg, 42, of Hillandale Ave., charged Wednesday afternoon with first-degree failure to appear.