Police: Shots at Capitol related to others
A suspect believed to have fired gunshots at the state Capitol in Hartford over Memorial Day weekend is in custody, police said Wednesday, and investigators believe the shooting is “directly related” to seven shootings in the Southington area over the weekend.
State police found multiple bullet holes on the South side of the Capitol Tuesday as lawmakers and staff returned after the holiday weekend. Three bullet holes were found on exterior light fixtures and windows of the building. It was unclear when the shooting occurred.
“The shootings here over the weekend are directly tied to the shootings in Southington. Aperson is in custody at the moment,” Brian Foley, a spokesman for the Connecticut State Police, said.
Foley didn’t name the suspect because there is no arrest warrant at this time, but the investigation remains ongoing.
“We are continuing to look for evidence, some evidence has already been received and will be delivered to the state lab,” Foley said. “But, at this point, wedonot believe any ongoing danger.”
A suspect has already been identified in the series of shootings in the Southington area. Douglas Floyd Gollnick, 74, of the Plantsville section of Southington, is accused of firing dozens of shots into seven different addresses across Southington and other nearby towns Sunday evening before leading police on a chase that only ended when his car was disabled by officers on the Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown. Police seized a .22-caliber long rifle from Gollnick’s car and arrested him.
All of the shooting locations appear to have some personal connection to Gollnick, but Southington police Lt. Keith Egan said an investigation into what led the shootings is still underway. Gollnick is undergoing psychiatric evaluation and remains hospitalized.
Upon his release from the hospital, Gollnick will be charged with a series of offenses, including first-degree criminal attempted assault, unlawful discharge of a weapon, reckless endangerment, interfering with an officer and engaging in pursuit, Egan said.
Police began investigating the shooting at the state Capitol Tuesday morning. Gov. Ned Lamont said he “didn’t know details except that there were shots fired,” and that he believes it was a “random act.”
“They shot at a wall,” Lamont said Tuesday. “They didn’t shoot at something that we know of at this point.”
Foley added that police believe the suspect’s motives were “directly related to mental health issues.”
After discovering the bullet holes at the Capitol, James Rovella, commissioner of the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, ordered an inspection of government buildings in Hartford to ensure they had not been struck.
Foley would not confirm that the rifle used in the shootings in the Southington area may have also been used at the Capitol.
“We believe the shootings are directly tied and that is something the investigators will absolutely look into,’’ he said. “There could have been more than one firearm used.”
Cromwell police said Tuesday they believe an eighth location where multiple bullet holes were discovered in doors and windows Sunday — the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 130 South St. — may also have been targeted by Gollnick. Individuals inside the building at the time were unharmed. “The Cromwell Detective Bureau is investigating, and an arrest warrant is forthcoming,” police said.