By D.M.Livingston|TheWaterburyTimes|Published Feb 2025

Updated Nov 26, 2025 4:44PM

Waterbury, CT- In a near tragic turn of events, a group of young men attempting to break into cars led to Waterbury Detective R.J. Sackett being shot in the leg and has stirred outrage and raised serious concerns about the state of public safety. The incident, which unfolded on Valentine Day Eve, saw three suspects arrested and charged with a range of serious felonies, including attempted robbery, illegal firearm possession, and carrying large capacity magazines. But the real controversy doesn’t stop there—it extends to the police chief’s unsettling response to the crime and its aftermath.

Footage of attempted murder of Waterbury Detective Sackett

The Arrests and the Officer’s Recovery

The three suspects, Sydney Reid, Arian Perez-Feliciano, and Alberto Rodriguez are facing charges that could lead to significant prison time. Among the accusations against them are attempted robbery, illegally carrying firearms with large capacity magazines, and other related felonies. These suspects were caught and during the arrest one officer was shot in the leg.

Detective Sackett was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery. Thankfully, the officer is now recovering and has been discharged. Despite the serious injury, the officer’s courage in the face of danger has been praised by colleagues and community members alike.

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Police Chief Spagnola’s Lax Response

However, the most alarming aspect of this case has been the response from the Chief of Police, Spagnola, who referred to the incident as “more than likely to happen” and called the outcome “reasonable.” These remarks have raised eyebrows across the community, as many feel that the Chief’s attitude is not only indifferent but also dangerously permissive.

When the Chief dismisses such an event as a “likely” occurrence, it sends a troubling message about the way crime is viewed by law enforcement leadership. Such comments signal a concerning acceptance of criminal behavior and a lack of urgency in addressing the factors that contribute to these violent acts.

Moreover, the idea that this violent encounter—one that left a police officer injured—could be described as “reasonable” further fuels the growing discontent among citizens. There should never be a scenario where a law enforcement officer is shot, where a citizen’s safety is jeopardized, or where violent crime is treated as an inevitability that is “reasonable.”

A Call for Accountability

While the carjacking itself is tragic enough, what is even more troubling is the lack of a strong, proactive response from those in positions of power. Public safety requires a commitment to the highest standard of protection for all individuals, particularly law enforcement officers. The Chief’s response, which could be seen as minimizing the severity of the incident, undermines the very essence of public trust and safety.

This incident has laid bare a deeper issue—one that has been bubbling under the surface for far too long. The proliferation of illegal firearms, including those with large capacity magazines, has become a rampant problem in many cities, and this carjacking highlights the urgent need for stricter gun control measures.

Stricter Gun Penalties: A Necessary Solution

It is clear that the current system is not doing enough to deter those who engage in violent crime. The suspects involved in this carjacking were found in possession of illegal firearms capable of causing untold damage. These weapons, particularly those with large capacity magazines, can turn a potentially manageable situation into one of sheer terror and destruction.

This is not a time for leniency or complacency. It is time to enact stricter gun laws that prevent illegal firearms from entering the hands of criminals. Those caught carrying firearms illegally should face stiffer penalties, particularly when these weapons are used in violent crimes. Additionally, there needs to be a greater emphasis on cracking down on gun trafficking and the illegal sale of firearms, which continue to fuel violent incidents like the one that led to this officer’s injury.

A simple message must be sent: gun violence will not be tolerated. The proliferation of illegal weapons should never be treated as an acceptable risk in any community.

Conclusion

The carjacking incident and the officer’s subsequent shooting are stark reminders of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day. But they are also a wake-up call for the public, urging us all to demand more from our leaders. A lax attitude toward violent crime—such as the one exhibited by Chief Spagnola—only serves to embolden those who would seek to harm others.

As the investigation continues, it is essential that the public holds those in power accountable, demanding a zero-tolerance policy toward gun violence and a stronger, more proactive response to criminal behavior. There should never be a scenario where an officer is shot in the line of duty, and there should never be a situation where criminals are allowed to wield illegal firearms with impunity.

The time for change is now. The community deserves nothing less.

Update to this story. See how things turned around for one Waterbury Neighborhood with a tragic history being led by Cheif Spagnola

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