The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed the death of a Connecticut native who was killed during a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
20-year-old PFC. Eric D. Soufrine of Woodbridge died of wounds that he suffered on Tuesday when his unit was attacked by an improvised explosive device.
Soufrine was in Farah province Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom according to the DOD. He was stationed in Fort Carson Colorado.
Soufrine was a 2009 graduate of Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge. First Selectman Edward Sheehy says the family has deep roots in the Woodbridge community. Soufrine's grandfather is a Korean War veteran and was recently honored at the town's Memorial Day Service.
"I called Soufrine's father and left a message offering my condolences and thanking him for giving his son to our country. This young man's death is awful reminder that freedom isn't free," said Sheehy.
A family member says Soufrine was coming home in just 2 weeks. He's Woodbridge's first military casualty in more than 40 years.
Governor Malloy has ordered all flags to fly at half staff in Soufrine's honor.
