A man accused of shooting and killing a worker at a Bridgeport construction site was scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, but he has been taken to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation and his court has been postponed.
Police said Jose Araujo, 30, was working with Burns Construction Company in the area of Chopsey Hill Road and Pond Street when Gregory Weathers, 33, shot him to death. The two men had never before met, authorities said.
According to police, Weathers asked the foreman for a job, then left when he was directed to the company office. He returned minutes later with a gun and targeted Araujo for what police said was "no apparent reason."
Two officers who were directing traffic at the construction site chased Weathers and called for backup. They found him hiding behind a house on Saunders Avenue, across the street from where he lives, police said.
Investigators recovered a handgun and said Weathers admitted to the shooting. He was taken into custody and charged with murder and weapons violations.
Police said Weathers has been taken to Bridgeport Hospital and it's not clear when he will appear in court.
Araujo's friend, John Gomes, described his late friend as "loved by everyone."
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Gomes said Araujo, like himself, immigrated from Cape Verde in search of a better life and worked hard to provide for his family.
During a news conference on Thursday, Police Chief Joseph Gaudett was at a loss for words and said investigators are baffled by the "senseless tragedy" that took the life of an innocent man.
Investigators are looking into Weathers' history and will search his home for clues.
The Cape Verde Association is accepting donations on behalf of Araujo's family. You can send a check to:
235 Linen Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
