DANBURY, Conn. — A Danbury man has been sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a July 2024 drive-by shooting at Rogers Park.
Alexie Espinal, 20, received the sentence in state Superior Court after accepting a plea deal in August. He pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree assault, carrying a pistol without a permit, and illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.
The sentence is less than the potential penalty Espinal could have faced if convicted on all original charges following his August 2024 arrest. Those charges included carrying a dangerous weapon, risk of injury to a child, accessory to attempt to commit first-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, illegal discharge of a firearm, and others.
The July 8, 2024 shooting occurred around 4:50 p.m. at the playground area of Rogers Park, where three minors riding bikes were targeted. Fortunately, no one was injured, despite the park being crowded with children.
According to a warrant, the suspects — Espinal and Jimmy Acevedo, 19 — approached the juveniles in a white 2024 Hyundai Elantra. Witnesses said both individuals were armed, with Espinal firing a black Glock-style 19 with an extended magazine and flashlight.
Investigators noted that any occupant of the vehicle could have fired shots, given the darkly tinted windows and the rapid nature of the incident. Acevedo, also charged in connection with the shooting, has pleaded not guilty and has a pretrial hearing scheduled for Dec. 1.
Espinal, who remained in custody on a $250,000 bond, is currently held at the Mason Youth Institution in Cheshire, with a maximum release date of Aug. 1, 2028.
