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Bridgeport Police Arrest Two On Murder Charges In Separate Shootings

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Two people are facing murder charges in connection with shootings that claimed the lives of a pair of Bridgeport residents.

Richard Lopez, 25, was arrested Thursday morning in connection with the murder of a 33-year-old Bridgeport resident on Dec. 15.

Richard Lopez, 25, was arrested Thursday morning in connection with the murder of a 33-year-old Bridgeport resident on Dec. 15.

Photo Credit: Bridgeport Police Department

Richard Lopez, 25, has been charged with murder, felony murder and first-degree robbery in the death of Noel Esbri, 33, who was shot to death inside an apartment at 360 Palisades Ave., on Dec. 15. Police had been able to identify Lopez as a suspect and had an arrest warrant signed by a judge on Jan. 4. 

Police said they had been in contact with Lopez's attorney throughout the investigation but Lopez refused to speak with police or turn himself in. He was arrested Thursday morning as Bridgeport Police and the United States Marshal's Office Fugitive Task Force were able to find him.

His bond has been set at $750,000

In the second murder arrest Thursday morning, Bridgeport Police charged a 16-year-old with murder and weapons offenses in the death of Elianna Cruz, 26.

Police said that Cruz was shot in the head around 9 p.m. on Jan. 7 as she was sitting in a parked vehicle with three men at 1001 E. Main St. Police said that two males were walking through the parking lot at the location when one of the males opened fire striking Cruz in the head. 

She was rushed to hospital and died on Jan. 11. Police do not believe she was the intended target of the shooting and were able to quickly identify the suspect. An arrest warrant was signed by a judge on Wednesday and the teenager was arrested Thursday morning. Police said he had been in custody in juvenile detention on other matters.

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