Mourning Family Turns Over Phone, iTouch in Hopes of Answers

Tuesday, Oct 9, 2012 | Updated 6:52 PM EDT

NBC Connecticut/News Times

Tyler Giuliano was dressed in a ski mask when he apparently tried to break into a neighbor's house. The man who shot and killed him was his own father, who did not know who the intruder was, according to reports.

An attorney for a New Fairfield man who shot and killed his son said he has provided state police with several of the teen's items as they investigate what happened on the morning of Sept. 27.

There are so many unanswered questions and the family wants answers, probably more than the police do, attorney Gene Zingaro said.

Police said Jeffrey Giuliano went outside with a gun around 1 a.m. on Sept. 27 when his sister called to say someone was trying to break into her house next door in New Fairfield.

He saw a masked person holding a shiny object come toward him in a threatening manner, shot him and killed him, police said.

He later was told the person he killed was his son Tyler.

State police wanted access to Tyler's phone to try to determine why the boy was out at night wearing a ski mask and armed with a knife.

Zingaro said Jeffrey Giuliano, is cooperating with the request because he and his wife want the same answers.

He stressed that this is not a criminal investigation and the Giulianos have signed consent forms to search their properties, homes and phone records.

Zingaro met with police on Tuesday and gave the Tyler's iTouch and cell phone.

State police will examine the family's computer at their home on Wednesday.

The Giuliano family has also turned over Tyler’s email address. Once a warrant is granted, investigators will be able to get all outgoing and incoming emails from AOL, Zingaro said.

The Giuliano family is in mourning and said Tyler wasn’t a troubled kid. There had been no fights in the family and he had a normal relationship with his aunt, Zingaro said. They have frequent family dinners and look out for each other’s homes.

Zingaro said Tyler was not only close with his siblings, but also close with his 13-year-old cousin who lives next door. He was very close with his dad. They enjoyed music together and also did civil air patrol together, according to the attorney.

The children have gone back to school, but Jeffrey, a popular teacher, will remain out of school for an extended period of time. It is a joint decision between the family and the school system, according to Zingaro, who said he is going to counseling to deal with what has happened and the whole family is still dealing with the grief.

Police are investigating the shooting. No charges have been filed.