State police are investigating a tragic fatal shooting in New Fairfield.
A New Fairfield man fatally shot a masked teenager in self-defense during what appeared to be an attempted burglary, then discovered the youth was his son, according to the Associated Press.
Tyler Giuliano, 15, of Meetinghouse Hill Circle, was wearing a ski mask and was holding a shiny object in his hand, when the altercation happened next door to his own home shortly after 1 a.m. State police said on Friday that the shiny object Giuliano was holding was a knife.
Police said a homeowner at 7 Meetinghouse Hill Circle, a small dead-end street, was home alone and believed someone she did not know was outside her home and attempting to get inside. She called 911 and also called her next door neighbor, who according to reports is her brother.
The neighbor grabbed a handgun, went outside to investigate and immediately encountered someone standing in front of the caller’s house, dressed in all black clothing, wearing a black ski mask and holding a shiny object in his hand, police said.
There was a confrontation and the boy came toward him in a threatening manner, still holding the object in his hand, police said.
The neighbor, thinking the boy was armed with a weapon and about to attack, shot, police said. Tyler collapsed.
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It was only after the ski mask came off that the shooter knew the apparent intruder was his own son, according to the News Times.
The Associated Press reports that Tyler's father, Jeffrey Giuliano, is a popular fifth-grade science teacher at Meeting House Hill School in town and the wire service left a message for him.
Police have not confirmed the shooter's name to NBC Connecticut because he has not been charged.
Shortly after 1 a.m. New Fairfield Resident State Trooper’s Office and Troopers from Troop A were alerted of the possible attempted burglary with shots fired on Meeting House Circle.
When police arrived, they found an adult male, dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, sitting on the grass to the side of the residence.
In the driveway, police found Tyler with obvious gunshot injuries. He was holding a weapon, police said, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The medical examiner determined that Tyler died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Tyler lived next door to the person who called police and her neighbor about the possible intruder, according to addresses.in the news releases from police.
Lt. Paul Vance of State Police said Tyler is "probably" related to the homeowner.
Detectives from the State Police Western District Major Crime Squad are investigating, with assistance from the State Police Central District Major Crime Squad. Detectives are processing the scene for physical and forensic evidence and interviewing witnesses.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the manner and cause of Tyler's death.
Police said this incident is an isolated incident and has no relation to any other incident in the community, where a woman was attacked earlier in the week during a residential burglary.
Troopers are not seeking any other suspects.
The News-Times reports that Tyler was a 10th grade student at New Fairfield High School and that the school media center will be open until 9 p.m. for children and parents who want to gather. Grief counselors will also be at the school on Friday.
His friends have been Tweeting with the hashtag #RIPTyler:
The shooting has also shaken the community.
"The fact that it was a father and son involved, I think people, quite frankly, are devastated right now," John Hodge, the First Selectman, said.
