By D.M.Livingston|Published Nov 30, 2025
Last updated Dec 7, 2025 12:20AM
Two Shootings in One Night: Hours After Tree Lighting, A Harsh Start to Waterbury’s Holiday Season
Waterbury entered the holiday season with joy and unity during the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, but within hours, the city was again forced to confront a darker reality. Two separate shootings—one on Walnut Street, an area long associated with gun violence, and another on Grand Street, the heart of Waterbury’s civic district—brought an unsettling contrast to what should have been a night of celebration.
The message was clear: even on one of Waterbury’s most family-focused nights, the violence doesn’t take a holiday.
Waterbury Tree Lighting Ceremony Lights Up the Green
Walnut Street: A Familiar Flashpoint
The first shooting of the night unfolded on Walnut Street, a corridor known for repeated gun violence, fatal shootings, and frequent police presence. Community members have raised concerns for years that the area remains a persistent hotspot, with little improvement despite increased patrols and interventions.
The overnight incident only reinforces the need for long-term solutions, not temporary surges.
Breaking News UPDATE: Gunshot Victim Arrives at Waterbury ER Following Walnut Street Shooting
Grand Street: When the Civic Center Becomes a Crime Scene
Hours later, gunfire erupted on Grand Street, one of the most symbolically important stretches in Waterbury. This is not just another road—it is the home of:
- City Hall
- Superior Court
- Family Court
- Silas Bronson Public Library
- The U.S. Post Office
- Hundreds of daily workers, students, jurors, and families
Grand Street has already seen its share of chaos in recent years.
Earlier this year, a box truck led police on a high-speed chase down Grand Street, barreling through the district like a movie scene.
Last year, Jarron Chapman was murdered in broad daylight directly in front of the courthouse, shocking the entire city.
” This was an Assassination” State Prosecutor -Waterbury Superior Court
Now, another shooting—shell casings in the road, vehicles fleeing, buildings struck—adds to the alarming pattern.
Waterbury Shooting UPDATE: Arrest Made in Nov. 29 Grand Street Shooting
Layer on the FBI Activity…
In recent weeks, Waterbury residents have watched mysterious FBI arrests play out, with federal agents appearing in neighborhoods unannounced. Social media has been filled with speculation, eyewitness footage, and unanswered questions.
When you add this to:
- An uptick in vagrancy and aggressive panhandling
- A visible increase in homelessness
- Mental health-related incidents in the downtown area
…it paints the picture of a civic district in distress.
FBI Arrest at Grand News LLC in Waterbury Causing a Stir in the Community
The Question: Is It Time for a Municipal Center Complex Police Unit?
Cities like Charlotte, NC and others across the country maintain a Municipal Center Police Division—a small, specialized unit that focuses exclusively on the downtown government district.
These units typically:
- Patrol court complexes, city facilities, and surrounding blocks
- Increase response speed where thousands of government workers circulate daily
- Reduce reliance on stretched patrol units
- Improve the safety perception for businesses and families
- Create accountability and consistency in high-traffic, high-tension zones
- Work directly with courts, social services, and city departments
Could Waterbury benefit from this model?
Given the repeated incidents on Grand Street, the high density of government buildings, and the recent trend of violence reaching symbolic spaces, the answer may be yes.
A Municipal Center Police Unit would not replace patrol officers—it would reinforce them by placing trained, specialized personnel directly where the stakes are highest.
Opinion & Editorials | Waterbury Times – Local Perspectives and Analysis
A Holiday Season Wake-Up Call
Two shootings in one night—only hours after families gathered on the Green to watch the Tree Lighting—should spark more than social media chatter. It should spark a serious policy conversation.
Waterbury deserves a civic district that reflects safety, order, and stability.
It deserves a downtown where families feel welcome, where workers feel secure, and where justice facilities are protected from chaos on the street.
The question is no longer whether incidents can happen there.
It’s how many more must happen before Waterbury acts.
The Waterbury Times- Waterbury,CT Local News 
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