On a spring afternoon in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the life of Michael John Bernardo III, a 35-year-old Caucasian male, was brought to a tragic and violent end. On April 28, 2022, events unfolded inside the Garcia Mini Market on Newfield Avenue that would leave a family mourning and a community seeking answers.
Around 12:20 p.m., police first responded to a call reporting a disturbance at the small neighborhood market.
Upon their arrival, they found the business locked and received no answer from inside. Less than an hour later, at approximately 1:05 p.m., a second, more alarming call came in—reports of a possible robbery and a person shot within the store. This time, officers gained entry and discovered a grim scene. Michael John Bernardo III was found unresponsive, having sustained what appeared to be fatal gunshot wounds. Paramedics were called to the location, but it was too late; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bernardo, known to his loved ones as "Mikie," was a resident of nearby Stratford and also had connections to Port Saint Lucie, Florida. He was remembered for his infectious laugh, his beautiful smile, and his devotion to God and his family. In his youth, he was an avid baseball and football player. He had attended Bunnell High School in Stratford and had pursued a career as an electrician's apprentice before working in the security alarm business. His uncle recalled that he had recently returned to the Bridgeport area after facing some personal hardships.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Bridgeport Police Department's Detective Bureau's Homicide Squad launched an investigation. Authorities stated that they had identified a person involved in what they described as an isolated incident. However, the identity of this individual has not been publicly released. Despite identifying a person of interest, no arrests have been announced in connection with the death of Michael John Bernardo III, and the case officially remains under investigation. The police have encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
