Police are continuing to look for the man who shot a 50-year-old Greenwich woman in the stomach during a robbery in the parking lot of the Stop & Shop on Connecticut Avenue in Norwalk on Wednesday.
The woman remains hospitalized with serious injuries, but her condition has improved, according to police, and no vital organs were hit.
The woman had dropped her 15-year-old son off at a bowling alley and went shopping before the robbery, police said.
She had parked in the back of the supermarket parking lot near trees, away from other cars, apparently to leave her Golden Labradoodle in the shade rather than the sun, according to police.
The shooter approached as the woman was getting into her vehicle. He reached in and stole something, according to police.
Whether the woman was shot during a struggle with the shooter is not known. The man fled on foot. Police began investigating, brought in crews from Westport and Fairfield and set up a perimeter, police said.
The woman was conscious when emergency crews arrived, described the shooter and went to a hospital, where she underwent lengthy surgery.
The woman’s husband was at work in New York when the shooting happened, according to police. He has since spoken with detectives and is doing “surprisingly well,” given the circumstances, police said during a news conference on Thursday morning.
Norwalk police said they are pursuing leads.
Lt. Timothy Murphy said investigators are viewing video from several sources.
Officials said they do not have a suspect, but have identified persons of interest and vow to bring the person to justice.
“We’re dedicating all resources,” Police Chief Thomas E. Kulhawik said. “The mayor has assured me the budget is not an issue.”
Mayor Richard Moccia called this an isolated incident.
“All I can do is reassure the people of Norwalk that we have a great police department,” he said.
The only other crime he is aware of at the market is shoplifting, said Moccia, who went on to say he does not want to minimize the shooting, but FBI statistics indicate that crime in Norwalk is down, while several other towns in the state have seen more crime during an economically tough time.
“If you look around, some of the suburban towns have had home invasions,” Moccia said. “It’s a sign of the times.”
Police ask anyone with information, even if it seems insignificant to call the detective bureau at 203-854-3011, use the web site https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=143 or text a tip.
Police have not identified the woman and said they will not to respect the family’s privacy.
Police said the dog is OK and at animal control temporarily.
