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Know Him? Bridgeport Cops Seek To ID Co-Conspirator In Murder Of Barber

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Bridgeport Police Homicide Unit is seeking to identify the co-conspirator in the murder of a local barber two days after arresting the man whom police described as the shooter.    

This video shows the second suspect in the murder of a Bridgeport barber. He goes by the street name 'Gunner.'

Photo Credit: Bridgeport Police Department

Mark Christian, 32, was arrested Monday and charged with murder, felony murder, robbery and weapons charges in the death of Deon Rodney, who was shot to death Oct. 14 in a barbershop at 500 Park Ave., police said.

On Wednesday night, police released a video of Christian's co-conspirator in an attempt to identify him. 

The suspect is shown in the surveillance video above, entering a store and making a purchase. He is a 6-foot-tall black male who frequents the South End of Bridgeport, police said.  The video shows him wearing glasses, but he sometimes does not, police said. 

Christian said this man goes by the street name of "Gunner," according to police.  

Related story: Arrest Made In Murder Of Bridgeport Barber Who Tried To Protect Customers

Additional video shows that the man fled the area as the passenger of an older model Pontiac Grand Prix — gray or silver, police said. 

Christian was apprehended Monday night at Sage Avenue and Barnum Avenue after a police pursuit that stemmed from a domestic dispute.

Hours later, detectives arrested Christian and charged him in the death of Rodney, the 22nd murder of the year in Bridgeport, police said.

Rodney, 31, was working as a barber at the Just Right Cutz barber shop when Christian and another man robbed a patron in the parking lot of the shop, police said.

After the robbery, they attempted to attack the man again, police said.

When Rodney attempted to stop one of the attackers, who was armed with a handgun, the other one, identified as Christian, shot and killed him, police said.

"The investigation will continue until the second perpetrator is apprehended," police said.

Christian was held on $1 million bond.

His arrest stemmed from an investigation into a domestic dispute, police said. At 7:15 p.m. Monday, officers responded to 412 Summerfield Ave. on a report of a threatening incident. At 8:25 p.m., officers returned when a caller said the suspect — later identified as Christian — was attempting to kick in her door, police said.

At 8:37 p.m., officers engaged in pursuit with Christian after following up at 42 Kent Ave., where the complainant said suspect might have gone, police said.

Shots were fired during the pursuit, police said, and Christian was detained shortly thereafter. Ambulances were called for two officers and Christian, who were all treated at the hospital for minor injuries. No one was shot during the chase, police said.

A GoFundMe campaign was set up to assist Rodney's family the funeral costs. Any funds remaining after the funeral costs will be placed into a trust fund for the 8-year-old daughter of Rodney, who was hailed as a hero for trying to protect his customers.

Anyone with information on the suspect should contact Lt. Christopher LaMaine at 203-258-2545, Detective Martin Heanue at 203-581-5242 or the department's tip line at 203-576-TIPS (8477).

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