Shanica Merced arrested after 2 killed in ‘her failed plot to rob seedy underground gambling club she worked at’

A WOMAN has been arrested after her alleged plot to rob an illegal gambling club escalated into a shootout, leaving two men dead.

Investigators said Shanica Merced, 35, and her two accomplices were captured on surveillance footage inside the underground hub together, hashing out their final plans before the ill-fated robbery took place on March 30.

City of Bridgeport (CT) Police Department

City of Bridgeport (CT) Police Department

News 8

News 8

Police said Merced, who helped run the illegal gambling club in Bridgeport, Connecticut , conspired with Tayvon Geter and Richard Davis, both 30, to rob the den.

However, their plans were spoiled when one of the gambling patrons exchanged gunfire with the would-be robbers, Bridgeport police said.

Geter and Davis were both shot and killed, while the gambler who opened fire was also injured but survived.

A bullet grazed Merced as she fled from gunfire, Bridgeport Detective Jeffrey Holtz said.

Merced was arrested on Saturday during a traffic stop and charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and illegal gambling.

She is being held on $250,000 bond.

Merced’s arrest marked the third person charged in connection with the illegal establishment.

In June, Bridgeport police arrested Marcus Farmer, 37, for his alleged role in running the gambling club.

Investigators said Farmer was inside the hub when the shooting occurred in March but is not believed to have been involved in the robbery.

Farmer was charged with illegal gambling and stealing a gun from one of the suspects, according to police.

In May, Sean Ellan, 38, was arrested for stealing a gun from one of the dead suspects, cops said.

What we know so far

Bridgeport police arrested Shanica Merced, 35, on August 10, 2024, in connection with the fatal shooting at an illegal gambling club on March 30.

What we know so far:

• Shanica Merced was arrested on August 10 during a traffic stop by Bridgeport Police Task Force Officers.
• Merced was arrested on an active felony warrant, police said.
• Investigators said Merced conspired with two would-be crooks to rob an illegal gambling club she helped run.
• The robbers, identified as Tayvon Geter and Richard Davis, both 30, were shot and killed on the scene by a gambling patron who exchanged gunfire.

How the crime went down:

• Bridgeport police said surveillance footage from the illegal gambling establishment captured Shanica Merced letting Geter and Davis inside.
• Video captured Geter and Davis wearing masks as they entered the club.
• Merced sat alone with one of the suspect’s before the robbery took place, investigators said.
• Davis and Geter then carried out their plan to rob the club and its patrons at gunpoint.
• However, one of the patrons exchanged gunfire with the robbers, killing both.
• The gambling patron was injured during the shooting but survived.
• A bullet grazed Merced as she fled from gunfire.