A man charged with trying to kill a police officer during a violent armed robbery went before a judge in Bridgeport on Friday.

According to police, Jachim Brown, 27, held up an EbLens store Thursday around 9:30 a.m. on Pequonnock Street. During the robbery, police say Brown held up two women at gunpoint.

Police Chief AJ Perez says Brown dragged one of the victims by her hair across the store, while holding a gun to her head.

Officials say Brown then ran off with $1,900, and fired two shots at an off-duty police officer who tried to stop him.

Authorities say the officer returned fire, but Brown was not hit.

Some in the community say they were shocked because police officers were already working near the scene of the crime due to construction following a recent water main break.

"It was very, very surprising to me to see this especially in daylight and a lot of people around this area," said Tammy Rodriguez, of Bridgeport.

Police say Brown is also a person of interest in the shooting of a bartender in Stratford on Tuesday. That investigation is ongoing.

Brown's bond was set at $1.25 million. He is due back in court later this month.