Alleged Perpetrator Shoots Himself in Hand and Thigh During Kidnapping

This item is a press release from the Branford Police Department

This morning just before 9 a.m., Branford Police arrested a man who allegedly assaulted a woman in Branford, kidnapped a Branford man, and then after taking the victim on a ride to New Haven, shot himself in the hand and thigh before returning to town.

The suspect arrested this morning, Mario Simmons, 26, with last known address of 50 Sea Hill Rd., North Branford was taken into custody after hours of an intense investigation stemming from a domestic violence incident that started just after 1 a.m. this morning.

Police were flagged down by the parents of a female victim who told officers that their daughter had been assaulted by her boyfriend (Simmons, who is a convicted felon) at 58 South Montowese Street and that she had called them from a neighbor’s home.

When police arrived, they found the victim in the roadway and she told police that she and Simmons were at the home of a friend when Simmons became enraged. She said that after Simmons assaulted her, he began to beat the male resident of the home, displayed a handgun, pointed it at the friend, and threatened to kill him. At that point, she was able to flee the home and seek help. Police searched the home and found that Simmons and the resident were gone and that Simmons apparently had abducted the resident at gunpoint, leaving in the victim’s vehicle.

A short time later, Simmons and the resident returned to 58 South Montowese Street and Simmons was taken into custody. Police immediately noticed that Simmons was suffering from a gunshot injury and he was transported to an area medical facility for treatment.

The male resident told police that after the beating, Simmons forced him into his car and drove to New Haven. During their time in New Haven, Simmons accidently shot himself in his hand and leg, eventually returning to the Branford home.

With the assistance of New Haven Police, officers were able to locate the handgun which had been discarded at an address on Forbes Avenue.

Police have charges Simmons with first-degree kidnapping with a firearm; criminal weapon possession; carrying a gun without a Permit; unlawful discharge of a firearm; first-degree reckless endangerment; two counts of possession of marijuana or controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance within1,500 feet of School; two counts of third-degree assault; two counts of disorderly conduct; threatening and sixth-degree larceny. He is being held on a $500,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in New Haven Court on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.