New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
ME: Man in standoff died by suicide
BRANFORD — The state medical examiner said Wednesday that the man suspected of shooting a bystander and engaging police in an armed standoff on Main Street Tuesday died by suicide.
Police earlier had said investigators believed the
suspect had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police Chief Jonathan Mulhern confirmed late Wednesday that the shooter was Matthew Walker of Branford.
Lt. Corrianne Carangelo, Deputy Chief John Alves and Detective Dominick Eula shared information regarding the incident, which lasted for several hours, during a press conference a day after the standoff.
Herschel Patel of Branford confirmed Wednesday that his father, Ashwin Patel, was the bystander shot during the incident.
Carangelo said the department was notified of gunshots being fired from a second-floor window on Main Street around noon Tuesday, arriving on scene within 90 seconds.
Mulhern said Tuesday that police first responded to Pepe’s Service Station at 177 Main St.
The shooter was holed-up for several hours in a second-floor apartment of a house at 241 Main St., above the Leon James International Hair Studio, Mulhern said.
Officers “were met with heavy gunfire,” Carangelo said. One man was found wounded; he was transported to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The South Central Regional SWAT Team, as well as officers from East Haven, Madison, North Haven, Guilford and North Branford, and the Connecticut State Police responded, Carangelo said. Branford firefighters, among other agencies, were there as well.
While officers attempted to speak with the shooter throughout the incident, contact was not made, Carangelo and Alves said.
The individual was found dead, seemingly of a selfinflicted gunshot wound, around 6 p.m., Carangelo said.
Alves expressed the stress of the incident, describing it as a “very difficult day for the town of Branford.”
“We are very, very fortunate that more lives were not lost due to this incident,” said Alves. “I would like to thank the public for their cooperation yesterday, for their patience, and those involved for their bravery.”
While no officers or other civilians were injured, “many other civilians were terrified,” and “many other nearby homes and vehicles were damaged,” Alves said.
Alves said those with information to share about the incident can call the department at 203-481-4241.
Those in need of help coping with the incident can contact police or call the Branford Counseling Center, which will provide free services, at 203-481-4248, he said.
The officers said they were unsure how many rounds were fired, but multiple weapons were involved.
Both long guns and handguns were used, Eula said; Walker owned firearms legally, though it still was unclear whether the weapons used were in his name.
No explosive devices were found, but the New Haven police bomb squad was called to the scene, Eula said.
Alves said the department is still investigating whether the shooter was firing with purpose or at random.
Alves said the department still was looking into the suspect’s background and whether police had interacted with him before.
The younger Patel said his father remained hospitalized Wednesday and it was not known when he might be able to return to work. Alves wished him a speedy recovery Wednesday.
A GoFundMe campaign to benefit Ashwin Patel had raised nearly $7,000 by early Wednesday afternoon.