Report by Paula Antolini, February 1, 2023, 7:59AM EDT
4TH UPDATE February 3, 2023, 6:20AM:
PRESS RELEASE:
“On January 31, 2023, at approximately 11:49PM, the Bethel Police received a call of a possible disturbance in the area of Reservoir Street. The caller reported hearing a sound of a possible gunshot, followed by yelling and then to additional gunshot sounds.
Officers responded to the residence on Reservoir Street where the disturbance was believed to have occurred. The residence is a two family home with an upstairs apartment and a downstairs apartment. Responding officers made contact with the lower level occupants of the residence. The downstairs occupants were asleep at the same time and were unaware that anything had occurred. Upon attempting to make contact with the upstairs occupants, a female victim was located in an upstairs bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head and a gunshot wound to the chest. A male victim, later identified as the suspect, was located alive in the same room, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Responding officers immediately began rendering medical aid to both parties. The male suspect was transported to Danbury Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The female victim was determined to be deceased at the scene by the responding paramedic.
The investigation thus far has revealed that the male and female decedents were married and recently estranged due to domestic abuse. The female victim recently sought assistance through the Danbury Superior Court by submitting an Affidavit Relief from abuse on January 17th. The first report of domestic abuse to the Bethel Police Department was made on January 20, 2023, where the female victim reported that her husband was staying with family in New York State. Bethel Police took the female victim’s statement and made contact with New York State Police requesting that they make contact with the suspect and subsequently arrested him for violating the order on January 20th.
Within the last week the male suspect came back to Connecticut from New York staying with family in Danbury. On January 31st the male suspect came back to the residence, entered the home, and shot the female victim once in the chest and once in the head before shooting himself in the head. No other occupants of the residence were involved or injured during the event.
The investigation is still active and ongoing. A final press release will be issued when the investigation is completed.
3rd UPDATE February 1, 2023, 1:02PM:
“Bethel police said two people were shot dead in an apparent murder-suicide Tuesday night inside a home on Reservoir Street,” reports the News Times.
“Two people have died in a suspected murder-suicide inside a home on Reservoir Street late Tuesday night, officials confirmed.”
Acting Bethel First Selectman Rich Straiton described the incident as a murder-suicide earlier on Wednesday based on information he received from the police chief.
“I can’t say too much about it, but there was a murder-suicide on Reservoir (Street) last night and it’s under investigation,” Straiton said Wednesday morning,” reports the News Times.
Bethel Police Capt. Heather Burnes confirmed that the police received a call “for yelling coming from the street around 10:50 p.m. Tuesday” and Officers found male and female victims inside a home “suffering from apparent gunshot wounds” but “Burnes did not immediately release their identities or ages,” the article stated. Detectives are “detectives are “actively investigating” the fatal shooting, Burnes said.
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UPDATE February 1, 2023, 11:42AM:
(Bethel Police press release)
On January 31, 2023 at approximately 11:49PM, the Bethel Police Department received a call regarding yelling coming from the area of Reservoir Street. Upon arrival, Officers located a male and a female inside of a Reservoir residence suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers began treating the parties, however, the female was ultimately pronounced dead at the residence. The male was taken to Danbury Hospital where he was also pronounced dead.
The Bethel Police Department Detective Bureau is actively investigating the incident and there is no threat to the community.
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Original post February 1, 2023, 7:59AM:
Bethel Police Department Press Release (posted 15 minutes ago):
Bethel Police Officers were dispatched to the area of Reservoir Street in the late night hours of January 31, 2023 for a report of a disturbance / noise complaint. Upon arrival Officers located two individuals inside a residence in need of medical care and EMS was called to the scene.
The incident is actively being investigated and further updates will be given as more information and details are obtained. There is no threat to the community.
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