Cops: Assault suspect has ties to Newtown
WILLINGTON — Authorities continued to search Saturday for a man they say is a suspect in a major assault that left one man dead and injured another Friday morning.
Just after 9 a.m., troopers from Troop C responded to an incident on Mirtl Road to find two victims — both elderly men — suffering from injuries after an assault with an “edged weapon,” State Police said.
One victim, identified by police as 62-year-old Willington resident Theodore Demers, later died from his injuries.
“It is unclear what prompted the assault,” state police said.
A GoFundMe campaign set up Friday to support Demers’ family raised $38,075 as of Saturday night.
“The Demers family has suffered an unspeakable and incomprehensible tragedy,” wrote Matt Emond, Willington resident and the creator of the GoFundMe page. “We are trying to raise some money to assist the family in any way possible. Please feel free to share and support a wonderful family. Anything helps.”
State police on Saturday released the identity of a potential suspect: 23-yearold Peter Manfredonia, who they say was seen leaving the scene of the homicide and serious assault on Mirtl Road.
Manfredonia, state police said, is considered armed and dangerous.
“Connecticut State Police are actively looking for this suspect that has had ties to Newtown,” Newtown police said Saturday night. “While police do not believe he is currently in Newtown, that certainly can change.”
The Newtown Police Department urged its residents to be “aware and on the lookout” for Manfredonia as a precaution.