Guilty plea in Norwich shooting

A 53-year-old Norwich man who fired a gun into his neighbor’s apartment in March 2011 because he was upset about a $400 debt pleaded guilty to first-degree assault this morning in New London Superior Court.

Edward Rodrigues, formerly of 88 Chestnut St., will be sentenced April 5 to three years in prison followed by five years probation.

According to a police report of the March 6, 2011 incident and witness accounts, Rodrigues had agreed to cash a $400 check that the unidentified victim had received from an elderly couple for snow removal services. Rodrigues deposited the check into his bank account and gave the victim cash, but that the check did not clear, and it was “eating” at Rodrigues.

He went to the man’s apartment and fired a gun through the back door, shattering the glass. The bullet hit the victim in the hip but did not penetrate his skin, according to police.

The victim told court officials he considered the shooting an accident and did not want to participate in Rodrigues’ prosecution. Rodrigues, who underwent a competency evaluation while his case was pending, said during his court appearance that he is taking medication for schizophrenia.