A convicted felon illegally possessing a firearm accidentally killed his innocent neighbor through their shared townhouse wall, exposing deadly flaws in our criminal justice system’s ability to keep weapons away from prohibited individuals.
Story Highlights
- David Grullon Jr., with two prior felony assault convictions, illegally possessed a 9mm firearm that discharged through a shared wall
- Victor Quispe, 37, was killed while eating dinner on his couch, leaving behind a pregnant fiancée
- Grullon was already out on bond for assault and witness intimidation charges when the fatal shooting occurred
- The accused faces second-degree manslaughter and firearm charges, with a bond set at $1 million
Prohibited Person Had Illegal Access to Deadly Weapon
David Grullon Jr., 42, was legally barred from possessing firearms due to two prior felony assault convictions. Yet, he somehow obtained a Winchester 9mm Luger that would ultimately claim an innocent life.
On January 7, while “handling the firearm” in his Danbury townhouse unit, the weapon discharged and sent a bullet through the shared wall into his neighbor’s home. This case perfectly illustrates how existing gun laws fail when criminals ignore legal restrictions and obtain weapons through illegal channels.
Innocent Father-to-Be Killed During Family Dinner
Victor Quispe, 37, was sitting peacefully on his couch eating dinner around 8:30 p.m. when the fatal bullet penetrated his townhouse wall at 43 Lake Ave.
The expectant father, whose fiancée was carrying their unborn daughter, died instantly from the gunshot wound. The tragic irony deepens, considering both Quispe and Grullon were friends who shared the joy of expecting baby girls.
This senseless death demonstrates how one person’s criminal recklessness can destroy multiple innocent lives in an instant.
Criminal Justice System Failed to Protect Public Safety
Grullon’s presence in the community with illegal firearms represents a systemic failure of criminal justice enforcement. He was already out on bond for pending assault and witness intimidation charges when this fatal shooting occurred. His defense attorney confirmed Grullon panicked and fled because he knew his illegal firearm possession violated his bond conditions.
Deputy State Attorney Mary-Caitlin Harding correctly emphasized that “Grullon should never have possessed the firearm due to his prior felony convictions,” highlighting how the system failed to prevent this tragedy.
Man accused of fatally shooting neighbor through wall charged with manslaughter | National & World | https://t.co/eEedN0vNoS https://t.co/4Mbkc21krm
— Private Officer (@privateofficer) January 18, 2026
Multiple Charges Filed Against Repeat Offender
After surrendering to police on January 16, Grullon was arraigned and charged with second-degree manslaughter, reckless endangerment, risk of injury to a minor, and firearm offenses.
The $1 million bond reflects the serious nature of these charges and Grullon’s flight risk given his criminal history. With his next court appearance scheduled for February 2, 2026, this case will test whether Connecticut’s legal system can deliver justice for families destroyed by criminal negligence and illegal gun possession.
The presence of Grullon’s 15-year-old stepdaughter and 4-year-old son in the home during this incident adds another disturbing element, as prosecutors included risk of injury to a minor among the charges.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for more vigorous enforcement of existing firearm restrictions and accountability for repeat offenders who continue endangering law-abiding citizens through their criminal actions.
Sources:
Man accused of fatally shooting neighbor through wall charged with manslaughter – WBAL
Man accused of fatally shooting neighbor through wall charged with manslaughter – ABC News
