New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
New details emerge on gunman
Suspect in armed standoff, who died by suicide, was a 38-year-old Branford man
BRANFORD — Ashwin Patel, wounded Tuesday when a gunman opened fire on Main Street and engaged in a standoff with police, remains hospitalized but is recovering, his son said Thursday.
Hershel Patel said he hoped his father would be released over the weekend. He thanked the community, which as of early Thursday afternoon had raised more than $14,000
to support Ashwin Patel’s recovery, and thanked those who put themselves in harm’s way to aid his father.
“We’re very grateful for friends, family, and the wonderful community of Branford for being so quick to act and help out. We never expected so much support. Time and time again Branford has proven to be a tight knit town that always has each other’s backs,” Patel said in a statement.
“There aren’t enough words to describe how thankful we are. Especially for the guys next door at the gas station who helped take care of my dad while waiting for help ... (a)nd of course the first responders as well for putting themselves in harms way.”
Police Chief Jonathan Mulhern identified the suspect in the case as Matthew Walker, 38, a Branford resident. Chief State Medical Examiner Dr. James Gill ruled Walker died by suicide.
Patel said he did not know Walker, and that Walker had not previously worked at the family’s business, Shoreline Wine & Spirits.
Walker ran a moving company, 2 Bros and a Truck, based in East Haven, Patel said. Walker’s name and the address of the apartment he allegedly fired shots from, 241 Main St., is listed on state records for the business.
A call and email to the company went unreturned Thursday; Walker’s family could not immediately be reached for comment.
Patrick Quinn, of West Hartford, said he had met Walker through a 12-step recovery program while living in New Haven. He was Walker’s sponsor; the two became friends.
Quinn said Walker, when sober, was a fun, intelligent person and a loyal friend. The two would watch hockey together; during the games, they’d go back and forth, arguing about the action. During the breaks, they’d discuss spirituality and their outlook on the world.
Quinn said he was
“very sad” about Walker’s alleged actions on Tuesday. Walker, although he got sober for years, had been struggling with substance abuse again recently, Quinn said.
Some people likely will see Walker as as a monster, he noted, given his actions Tuesday. Quinn said he would hold on to memories of his friend.
“He was firm but very fair with people when trying to help,” said
Quinn, saying that Walker would go out of his way to help others.
“He was chill; he was smart; he was funny,” said Quinn. “(Learning of the Tuesday shooting) was sad for me. He was a good friend.”
Edward Rivera of West Haven, a friend of Patel’s, said he had worked for Walker about seven years ago, when Walker first founded the moving company.
Rivera said that he recalls that Walker would get angry easily. Rivera said he was saddened by the incident, because it was a dark time for Branford — the “beautiful” town in which he attended middle and high school — and that it involved Walker.
Rivera said the incident had been surreal for him, as it involved his former boss and the father of his best friend.
For the first day or so, it was especially difficult, but through the support of the Patel family, the police and the community, he said he was feeling better Thursday.
He said he was struck by the importance of not taking your loved ones for granted; life can change quickly and unexpectedly.
Branford police Lt. Corrianne Carangelo said Wednesday 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 that police first responded to Pepe’s Service Station at 177 Main St.
The shooter, later identified as Walker, was holedup 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, Patel, was found wounded; he was transported to the hospital to be treated for non-lifethreatening injuries.
While officers attempted to speak with the shooter throughout the incident, contact was not made, Carangelo and Alves said.
The individual later was found dead, seemingly of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, around 6 p.m., Carangelo said.