A suspect has been arrested in the 2021 killing of a martial arts instructor whose heroic efforts stopped a restaurant robbery in Connecticut, authorities announced Tuesday.
Victor Colon, 38, was nabbed Monday and charged with the murder of 54-year-old Joselito Calderon in Bridgeport in July 2021, police said.
Colon was one of several armed men who burst into the Copa Bar and Restaurant in the early morning hours of July 11, 2021, with plans to rob the joint, according to investigators.
Calderon was working as a security guard at the bar and was shot when he stood up to stop the robbery. The bar was packed with people at the time, police said.
“Joselito Calderon was shot and killed while stopping that robbery. He saved lives,” Bridgeport police detective Jeffrey Holtz said Tuesday at a press conference. “He was a hero.”
In addition to Calderon, 30-year-old Niel Francisco was shot during the incident but recovered from his wounds, the Connecticut Post reported.
Colon, who had an extensive criminal record prior to his most recent arrest, has been charged with felony murder, accessory to murder, first-degree attempted robbery and a weapons crime. His bail was set at $2 million following his arraignment on Monday.
Bridgeport police said they anticipate making further arrests in connection with Calderon’s murder and the attempted robbery.
Originally Published:
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/07/29/bridgeport-ct-murder-robbery-arrest-victor-colon/