STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT – Connecticut police discovered a decomposed body and a cache of explosives inside a home following an hours-long standoff with a man who had fired at officers and barricaded himself inside.
Authorities responded Tuesday morning after a state marshal called 911 while attempting to evict the man under a court order. The 63-year-old man reportedly opened fire on officers multiple times during the day, damaging police vehicles. No officers were injured, and law enforcement returned fire during the confrontation.
Later in the day, the man was found dead from what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. While clearing the home, officers found a second decomposed body on the second floor, along with explosives including pipe bombs, grenades, and Molotov cocktails, according to Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw.
“This was an extremely dangerous incident that tragically resulted in the loss of two lives,” Shaw said, commending the coordinated efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement, as well as firefighters and hostage negotiators who attempted to communicate with the man for hours.
The Stamford police bomb squad was called in to safely remove the explosives before investigators processed the scene. Authorities have identified the man who fired at police and are working to determine the identity and cause of death of the second person. The state inspector general’s office will review the use of deadly force by officers during the standoff.
Court records show that the home had been foreclosed on in April, with residents ordered to vacate. A judge issued the eviction last month after allowing the tenants to make mortgage payments. An attorney who represented the man in the foreclosure case did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Note: This story involves suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the U.S. National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available at 988 by call, text, or online chat. Helplines outside the U.S. can be found at iasp.info/suicidalthoughts.