mpd622
12-31-2004, 17:13
10-1 Officer Down
10-1 Officer Down
Newington CT
RIP
Former Corrections Officer Kills Police Officer, Self In Standoff
5:34 PM EST,December 31, 2004
Associated Press
NEWINGTON, Conn. -- A former state corrections officer killed a police officer and then himself Friday, ending a 14-hour standoff.
The Newington police officer, Peter Lavery, was initially wounded around 10:30 p.m. while responding to a domestic violence call at a Mountain View Drive home. State and area police came to Lavery's aid when he did not respond to calls late Thursday.
For much of the afternoon, a state police tactical team was on the first floor of the home while the hostage-taker and the injured officer were holed up in the basement. Police used various methods to force the hostage-taker out, including tear gas and water from a hose.
Police did not identify the former corrections officer.
Lavery, 47, has been on the Newington force for more than 17 years. He is married with two children.
Police said Lavery and another officer originally responded to a domestic violence call on Mountain View Drive. A woman answered the door and told the officers that a man was in her basement.
When the officers walked down the stairs, the man opened fire, using an assault weapon. Lavery was struck at least once. The other officer and the woman escaped and called for assistance, police said.
Leonard Boyle, state public safety commissioner, said once the tactical team entered the first floor Thursday night, it became clear that Lavery was likely dead.
"That's what prompted further action on the part of the tactical units," he said.
The police last had contact with the suspect at about 3 a.m. It is unclear when he shot himself in the head.
Boyle said the incident is still under investigation. The State Police Major Crime Squad had just begun sifting through the scene by late afternoon.
Boyle said Lavery received at least one gunshot wound. He did not say whether the officer was wearing a bulletproof vest. The state medical examiner's officer is determining the cause of death.
If you want other stories on this topic, search the Archives at ctnow.com/archives.
10-1 Officer Down
Newington CT
RIP
Former Corrections Officer Kills Police Officer, Self In Standoff
5:34 PM EST,December 31, 2004
Associated Press
NEWINGTON, Conn. -- A former state corrections officer killed a police officer and then himself Friday, ending a 14-hour standoff.
The Newington police officer, Peter Lavery, was initially wounded around 10:30 p.m. while responding to a domestic violence call at a Mountain View Drive home. State and area police came to Lavery's aid when he did not respond to calls late Thursday.
For much of the afternoon, a state police tactical team was on the first floor of the home while the hostage-taker and the injured officer were holed up in the basement. Police used various methods to force the hostage-taker out, including tear gas and water from a hose.
Police did not identify the former corrections officer.
Lavery, 47, has been on the Newington force for more than 17 years. He is married with two children.
Police said Lavery and another officer originally responded to a domestic violence call on Mountain View Drive. A woman answered the door and told the officers that a man was in her basement.
When the officers walked down the stairs, the man opened fire, using an assault weapon. Lavery was struck at least once. The other officer and the woman escaped and called for assistance, police said.
Leonard Boyle, state public safety commissioner, said once the tactical team entered the first floor Thursday night, it became clear that Lavery was likely dead.
"That's what prompted further action on the part of the tactical units," he said.
The police last had contact with the suspect at about 3 a.m. It is unclear when he shot himself in the head.
Boyle said the incident is still under investigation. The State Police Major Crime Squad had just begun sifting through the scene by late afternoon.
Boyle said Lavery received at least one gunshot wound. He did not say whether the officer was wearing a bulletproof vest. The state medical examiner's officer is determining the cause of death.
If you want other stories on this topic, search the Archives at ctnow.com/archives.