STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE
     MANCHESTER POLICE SHOOTING INCIDENT

   On 05/19/11 Manchester PD received a 9-1-1 call from 13 Courtland Street for a report of a man with a gun threatening his family. It was learned that the suspect’s wife and two children (ages 10 and 13) were present in the home. 

   Upon officers arrival, gunshots could be heard inside the house and officers determined that there was an active shooter situation. Upon attempting to approach the house, Manchester Officer William Beeler was shot through the front of the house.  Beeler received a non-life-threatening wound to his shoulder; he was treated and released from Manchester Hospital. When members of the tactical team arrived, the suspect continued to fire upon them.  The suspect’s family (wife and children) were able to leave the house safely and were transported by police to a safe location.

   The suspect continued to fire between 100–150 rounds of ammunition, aiming at officers and striking neighboring houses, vehicles and police vehicles.  A member of the Capitol Region Tactical Team fired at the suspect as he was standing in the front doorway of his residence.  The suspect received a fatal wound.

   State Police Central District Major Crime Squad Detectives were requested by the Hartford State’s Attorney and Manchester Police Chief to investigate the police shooting. This scene was secured and State Police Detectives are processing the entire scene and will be interviewing all involved parties.

   Trooper’s preliminary information determined that the deceased suspect was intentionally firing his weapons at the responding police officers. While processing the scene, Troopers recovered over 75 shell casings just on the first floor, with more casings still to be seized from the other floors of the residence. Troopers also seized three weapons used by the suspect in the home: a .45 caliber, a .22 caliber and a 12-gauge shotgun.

   During the standoff, the suspect fired numerous shots and struck several homes and civilian vehicles.  In addition several police vehicles were struck by gunfire from the suspect.

   State police will remain on site to process the entire 13 Courtland Street scene.  In addition, all homes and vehicles struck by gunfire will be examined and documented in this investigation.  State Police anticipate that Courtland Street will be closed to traffic well into the evening hours.

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Lt. J. Paul Vance