The Waterbury Times|Published July 10, 2026

WATERBURY — Two Waterbury men have been arrested following reports of gunfire in the area of 428 West Main Street late Thursday night, with police recovering an illegally modified handgun and charging one suspect with multiple firearm offenses.

According to the Waterbury Police Department, officers responded to the area at approximately 11:24 p.m. on July 9, 2026, after receiving several reports of shots fired.

Upon arrival, officers located evidence that shots had been fired, but police said there were no reported victims of gunfire.

Officers quickly obtained descriptions of two suspects involved in the incident. Police said they located an individual matching one of the descriptions behind the building, later identified as Angel Nadal, 38, of Waterbury.

According to police, Nadal was found in possession of a handgun. As officers approached, they said they heard Nadal rack the slide of the pistol, chambering a round and making the firearm ready to fire.

Officers immediately drew their firearms and gave Nadal commands to surrender. Police said Nadal complied, dropped the handgun, and was taken into custody without further incident.

Investigators determined that the firearm Nadal dropped had been illegally modified, according to police.

Officers also located a second individual matching the description of the other suspect. That person was detained and later identified as Robert Melendez, 29, of Waterbury.

Both Nadal and Melendez were taken into custody and charged based on their alleged involvement in the incident.

Police said Nadal has not yet been booked and remains in police custody at a local hospital while receiving treatment for minor injuries.

Melendez was booked and appeared in court Friday morning, where he was held on a $1 million bond. He faces several charges, including:

• Reckless Endangerment
• Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
• Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm
• Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine
• Use of a Machine Gun in a Violent Crime

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Waterbury Police Department.

The Waterbury Times will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.