Branford

Person Dead After Active Shooter Incident in Branford Had Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound: Police

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Police responded to an active shooter incident in Branford early Tuesday afternoon and found a person dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound hours after the standoff started, police said.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has identified the suspect as Matthew Walker.

Officers were called to respond to reports of an active shooter just after noon Tuesday and arrived within 90 seconds to a "barrage" of heavy gunfire coming from the second floor of the business/apartment building, according to police.

Police said during a news conference on Wednesday afternoon that officers did return fire.

Police said the suspect shot one person, a civilian, and the victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. That person is in stable condition, police said Wednesday afternoon.

The standoff Tuesday lasted for hours, with law enforcement from several agencies, including SWAT, responding.

Some neighbors were evacuated or asked to shelter in place while police asked people to stay away from the area. Some homes and vehicles were damaged during the standoff and gunshot rounds were also found in a nearby gas pump, police said.

Police said they tried for hours to negotiate but no contact was made. They received information that one person was alone in the building.

Around 6 p.m., police found the suspect dead inside from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. The cause of death was ruled a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death a suicide.

No officers or other civilians were injured, police said.

Investigators did locate multiple weapons and ammunition. They said several of the guns were registered and police are looking into whether they all were.

Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, police said the area was safe and there was no further threat to the public.

During a news conference on Wednesday, police said they had no information on a possible motive.

Branford police are working with the New Haven State's Attorney Office and State Police Major Crimes Unit and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on the investigation.

Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call 203-481-4241

If you need help coping with what happened, you can call police or the Branford Counseling Center 203-481-4248.

SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: Here is information on suicide prevention from the National Institute of Mental Health. If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741. The Maine Crisis Hotline is available at 1-888-568-1112.

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