Norwich drug trafficker charged in Pistol Pete's shooting rejects 12-year sentence

Nov. 12—A 42-year-old former Norwich man, who was previously convicted for his part in a cocaine and heroin trafficking ring, has rejected an offer to serve 12 years in prison for his alleged role in a Norwich bar shooting last year.

David Sullivan, whose records show is free on a $100 non-surety bond, appeared in New London Superior Court on Tuesday to reject the offer from state prosecutors and opted instead to take his case to trial.

Sullivan is charged in connection with the July 1, 2023, shooting at Pistol Pete's Bar & Grill at 29 Stonington Road. Police were initially called to the bar for reports of shots fired. When officers arrived they arrested 37-year-old Bob Louis on gun possession charges. Police said Louis was armed with his own .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun.

Louis claims a man he did not know pulled a gun on him in the bathroom and he "fought for his life" by grabbing the muzzle of the gun when the shot was fired. Louis sustained burns to his hand. On the bathroom floor, police found a live round and a shell casing from a 9mm handgun. There were bullet fragments in the ceiling and floor.

Police said they used surveillance footage and DNA evidence to help identify Sullivan as the bathroom shooter. Sullivan was arrested on July 31, 2023, and charged with criminal possession of a firearm, illegal discharge of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree assault and interfering with police. The charges carry a total maximum sentence of more than 35 years in prison if convicted.

New London Superior Court Judge John Newson told Sullivan on Tuesday that the case will move to the trial list.

Sullivan was one of 13 people arrested in 2019 on a federal indictment related to the distribution of large amounts of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine in the Norwich area. He was sentenced to three years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Records show Sullivan was sentenced in federal court earlier this year to time served, or about one year in prison, for violating terms of his conditional release with his new arrest in Norwich.