Couple charged after party in Shelton

Allegedly allowed underage drinking on night teen was killed

A Shelton couple was arrested Thursday and charged with allowing an underage drinking party where a dispute between opposing high school students led to an altercation at a separate party in which Fairfield Prep student James Mcgrath was killed.

Shelton police said Paul Leifer, 59, and Susan Leifer, 51, were each charged with permitting minors to possess alcohol.

Susan Leifer, who police say had interactions with some of those in attendance at the Lazy Brook Road party on May 14, additionally faces one count of second-degree reckless endangerment.

According to police reports, the party on Lazy Brook Road in Shelton was hosted by teens from St. Joseph’s High School. Some students from Shelton High School who weren’t invited showed up to the party and a fight allegedly ensued. Raul Valle, then 16 and a student at St. Joesph, was in attendance at the party.

The confrontation continued via group chat and the groups met again at a crowded party hosted by teens from Shelton High School and Fairfield Prep on Laurel Glen Drive, where police allege Valle got out a dark-colored SUV and fatally stabbed Mcgrath — who was 17 years old when he was killed — during a fight, according to the warrant for Valle’s arrest. Three other teens also suffered stab wounds.

The three surviving victims told police after the uninvited teens got out of the SUV, a first punch was thrown and a fight erupted, with teens from St. Joseph’s tumbling onto the ground with the partygoers from Shelton High School and Fairfield Prep, the warrant said.