Man Accused Of Shooting Woman In Legs Arrested: Norwalk Police

NORWALK, CT — A Norwalk man accused of shooting a woman in the legs was arrested this week, according to police.

In a news release, Police Lt. Tomasz Podgorski said the department received a call Tuesday around 11:30 p.m. from Norwalk Hospital reporting a 43-year-old woman had entered the facility's Emergency Department with a gunshot wound to her legs.

Witnesses originally said the woman was struck by a bullet while walking on Coldspring Street with a group of friends, Podgorski said.

According to Podgorski, as officers investigated the incident, "this version of events ultimately proved inaccurate, and a thorough search of the area for evidence resulted in negative findings."

Police later determined the woman was shot by her friend's stepfather, Hugo Arturo Avilia-Garcia, 53, of Norwalk, at a Coldspring Street home, Podgorski said.

Avilia-Garcia then drove the woman to Norwalk Hospital, according to Podgorski.

Police later searched the home and recovered a shell casing, however they did not locate a firearm, Podgorski said.

Avilia-Garcia was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree assault and risk of injury to a child.

His bond was set at $500,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court later this month, according to Podgorski.