STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE SHOOTING IN PUTNAM

   Today, 11/17/06, shortly after 3:15 a.m., Connecticut State Police Troop-D Danielson received a 911 call reporting that a shooting had taken place at the Wal-Mart located on Route 44 in Putnam, CT.

    Troopers and EMS personnel responded to the scene. The initial investigation revealed that about 15-20 people were waiting in line for the Wal-Mart store to open. When they were confronted by two armed male suspects. The armed suspects demanded money from the waiting patron.  One of the male patrons confronted the armed suspect and was shot. Both suspects fled on foot.

    The wounded male patron was treated at the scene and was transported to UMASS Medical Center for treatment of a gunshot wound.

   The scene was secured by responding Connecticut State Troopers. Additional manpower and resources responded to the Wal-Mart scene to search the area for the two suspects.  The State Police Major Crime Squad also responded to this scene to conduct the criminal investigation into the Robbery incident.

    State Police are searching for two suspects described as:

#1 Caucasian male, approximately 17 yr,  5’6” to 5’8”, 160lbs, wearing all black including a black ski mask and brandishing a silver handgun,

#2 Caucasian male, approximately 17-18 yrs, 5’7”-5’10”, 180lbs, wearing all black brandishing what appeared to be a  shotgun.

     The victim has been identified as Michael Penkala, DOB 2-16-1985, of Webster, Massachusetts.  He is reported to be in stable condition, with non-life-threatening injuries.

   State Police are asking anyone who may have been in the area near the Putnam Wal-Mart and saw anything suspicious in the area to call State Police at (860) 779-4900.

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Lt. J. Paul Vance