Litchfield Standoff Ends After 10 Hours: Police

Police say man shot wife in leg before barricading himself in home

Updated 2:48 PM EST, Wed, Nov 25, 2009

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State Police were able to talk a man down after a nearly 10-hour standoff in Litchfield Tuesday night.

Police were called to 16 East Litchfield Road around 10:30 a.m. after they received a report of a domestic dispute.

When Troopers arrived they found the homeowner John Lavoie, 53, had barricaded himself inside with a weapon, and refused to come out.

The State Police Tactical Team was called to the scene to begin negotiations.

"The negotiator literally for nine and one half hours had been talking with the individual, attempting to negotiate his surrender, and finally after eight o’clock he was successful in doing so," said State Police Lt. Paul Vance.

Police determined Lavoie, who is confined to a wheelchair, had shot his 47-year-old wife Shelly in the leg during a dispute. She was able to drive herself to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and was later transported to Hartford Hospital. A hospital spokeswoman says she is in fair condition.

State Police said negotiators convinced Lavoie to surrender his weapon and come out of his home around 8:20 p.m. He was taken to an area hospital for evaluation and later arrested. There is no word yet on what charges he faces.

"He was very cooperative. He followed all directions given to him by the troopers. He was taken into custody without incident," said Lt. Vance.

State Police Major Crimes Division will process the scene for evidence.

Neighbors who were evacuated from the area when the standoff began Tuesday morning are being let back into their homes.

"I’m just glad no one else was hurt, both the suspect if you will, and anybody else. And I’m just glad I can get back to my house," said neighbor Jerry Farrell.