Connecticut man charged with murder of Bridgeport firefighter

A Connecticut man has been charged with the murder of an active-duty Bridgeport firefighter, police said Sunday. 

Stratford Police said officers arrested Jabari Bush after they found Terrence Cramer bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound in a shooting on Feeley Street in Stratford early Sunday morning. 

Cramer, who lived in Bridgeport, was pronounced dead shortly after paramedics arrived at the scene, police said.

What to know about Terrence Cramer

The 41-year-old father of three was a member of the Bridgeport Fire Department for nearly a decade. 

"Firefighter Cramer served the City of Bridgeport with dedication and honor for 9.5 years, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and safety of others," the department wrote in a Facebook post confirming his death. 

Mayor Joe Ganim issued a statement saying Cramer "was not only a valued member of our Fire Department, but also a proud public servant whose loss will be felt deeply across our entire city."

"I join Chief [Lance] Edwards and the members of the Bridgeport Fire Department in mourning [Cramer's] tragic passing," the mayor said.

Ganim said he has requested that all flags at municipal buildings be flown at half staff this week.

"It's very heartbreaking"

Shanyah Neal Walker spoke glowingly of her stepfather.

"Such, such, such, such a sweet person, very brave, very courageous," Walker said, beaming with love and admiration in the face of the unimaginable loss. "It's very heartbreaking, There are so many question I have as far as why, how, answers that I might never get."

Colleagues said Cramer was always the first to respond when someone was in danger.

Cramer's 10-year-old son, Jackson, said he knew firefighting was his dad's passion.

"He liked saving people because it made him feel good and he always wanted to be a firefighter," Jackson Cramer said.

The charges the suspect faces

Bush, 41, was taken into custody following a brief vehicle pursuit in Derby, nearly 15 hours after officers discovered Cramer wounded, police said.

Bush was charged with murder, home invasion and criminal possession of a firearm.

Authorities have not released details about what led up to the shooting, but Cramer's family members said for the time being they are focusing on remembering who he was.

"I have mercy. I'm not God. I do not judge. I wish that person the best and, hopefully, they have time to think about their actions," Walker said. "[The shooting] left us very devastated. I don't know how to move forward in this situation."

Bush is due in court Monday.