Gregory Robertson, a 40-year-old Black man, was a devoted father of four who had moved from his native Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Fredericksburg, Virginia, a decade earlier in search of a safer environment for his family. His fiancée described him as a man who was "all about family." In July 2023, Robertson was back in Connecticut visiting his son.
In the early hours of July 16, 2023, Robertson was at the Bunker Social Club on Watertown Avenue in Waterbury.
At about 4 a.m., a dispute erupted inside the club that did not involve him. During the altercation, gunshots were fired. Police, who had been alerted to a large crowd outside, found Robertson inside with a fatal gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives later informed his family that he was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire. Two other men were also shot during the incident; they were taken to Saint Mary's Hospital and listed in stable condition.
The investigation quickly led police to multiple suspects. Surveillance video showed German Pena-Lopez, 34, entering the club, pulling out a gun, and pointing it at another man, Joshua Morales, at close range. The two men began to wrestle, and Morales started firing at Pena-Lopez. The shots struck Pena-Lopez in the back, but also hit Robertson, killing him.
Police arrested Pena-Lopez on July 18, 2023, on charges including illegal possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit. In August 2023, U.S. Marshals and police located and arrested the suspected shooter, 29-year-old Joshua Morales, in Hartford. He was charged with murder, first-degree assault, and several firearm offenses. Authorities also issued an arrest warrant for the club’s owner, 34-year-old Andrew Dennis, for operating an unlicensed bar and reckless endangerment.
Joshua Morales was initially charged with murder. However, prosecutors noted that the video evidence showing Pena-Lopez pointing a gun at Morales first raised significant self-defense issues that would make a conviction at trial difficult. The state offered a plea agreement, reducing the charge to manslaughter with a firearm. On January 15, 2026, Morales pleaded guilty to the reduced charge and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. At his sentencing, Morales apologized to Robertson's family, who were present in court.
