Stamford Nightclub to Close in Wake of Weekend Shootings

“This was a senseless, violent act that has no place in Stamford or anywhere. I applaud our Police Department for their swift response to what was an isolated event,” said Mayor Martin. “The safety of our community is always our top concern and over the coming weeks we will be increasing our police presence in the area to provide additional security.”

"In addition to an increased police presence, the owners of Tino’s nightclub, Alice Lei and Alex Poon, announced that they will voluntarily suspend their liquor license, effective tomorrow, and cease operations.

According to The Advocate, the five shooting victims have all been released from Stamford Hospital. 

The victims included a 28-year-old former Greenwich resident who recently moved to Stamford, who was shot in the left arm as he ran towards Atlantic Street. The other victims included 19-year-old and 28-year-old Stamford men, a 24-year-old Stratford man and a 19-year-old Bristol woman. All of the victims were hit by bullets as they were leaving bars in the neighborhood in an attempt to flee the chaos.

Meanwhile, the suspect who Stamford Police say Dayron Wills, 22, of Tresser Boulvard, Stamford, admitted to firing into a crowd of hundreds gathered on outdoor patios and leaving local clubs about 1:35 a.m. July 13, remains in custody following his arraignment Monday in state Superior Court in Stamford. He has been charged with five counts each of first-degree assault with a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, and one count each of unlawful discharge of a firearm, and possession of marijuana, according to police.

Stamford Police Capt. Richard Conklin described a chaotic scene as officers in the area heard gunshots and rushed to the scene, dealing with victims while looking for the shooter. A video of the shooting, posted on social media, and now being used by Stamford Police to seek witnesses to the incident, can be found here.

In the graphic video, multiple shots can be heard as well as the sound of gunshells hitting the ground and victims screaming. (Disclaimer: the video is graphic and parental discretion is advised.) 

Police found a .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun in shrubbery where he told officer he tossed the gun as he fled the scene.

Wills reportedly got into an altercation over a woman at the Tino's club and pulled out his licensed handgun and began firing into the crowd, Conklin said.

On Saturday evening, a party promoter hosted an event at Tino's. But there is no evidence that any violence occurred inside Tino's doors,  Stamford Police Lt. Diedrich Hohn said.

"There is no good interest in having promoter-related parties downtown. They only resolve in negativity and negative incidents. That has been proven time and again in our city," Goldstein said, according to The Advocate. "The people who come there don't give a dime about the city. They only care about getting a lot of people in a space and filling them up on alcohol."