Hundreds of first responders gathered in mourning of a former EMT who police said was murdered in Shelton.
Thomas Infante, 53, of Shelton, has been arrested, accused of killing his 52-year-old wife, Lisa Infante, who is also the mother of their four children.
Police said Thomas and Lisa Infante were in the process of going through a divorce and he's accused of shooting her during an argument on Sunday night.
Community members gathered at a vigil on Monday night in Lisa's memory and several EMTs were among them, including Chief Mike Chaffee of the Echo Hose Ambulance Corps, where Lisa Infante used to volunteer.
“Lisa was a big part of our family. There’s a large hole in our heart right now," Chaffee said. "....You see people in their worst and best of times and you try to help them make sense of it. Right now we're kind of feeling that."
Authorities started investigating when they received a call around 9:30 p.m. about a suspicious death and responded to 7 Hickory Lane, where they found Lisa Infante.
Police said two of the couple's four children were home at the time of the shooting.
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"I know that her children meant the world to her," Chaffee said.
Thomas Infante fled the scene and police issued an alert for him on Monday afternoon, saying he was a person of interest in the case. He was believed to be in a red 1995 Chevrolet Blazer with Connecticut plate 92CF64, and should be considered armed and dangerous.
At 2:30 p.m., police said Thomas Infante turned himself in to Shelton Police and was arrested, charged with murder and held on $500,000 bond.
“There’s plenty of speculation, but you don’t know exactly what sparked this or caused it," Chaffee said.
Lisa Infante was a volunteer at Echo Hose Ambulance Corps and bunting now hangs on the building. A flag has been lowered to half staff and flowers have been placed out front.
"Your heart just sinks to your feet. Nothing, nothing can describe that feeling until you’ve felt it," Chaffee said. "....Obviously, a big hole in our heart and in our organization with Lisa not here anymore.”
Those who knew her said she was an emergency medical technician for more than a decade.
Thomas Infante is due in Derby Superior Court on Tuesday.
