Mom Killed, Son Injured in Waterbury Shooting

A mother is dead and her son is injured after a shooting in Waterbury on Tuesday morning.

Officers were called to Mark Lane around 5:15 a.m. after getting a report of a disturbance.

When officers arrived, they said they found two gunshot victims.

According to police, a 45-year-old female was found dead from gunshot wounds. Her identity has not been released.

The woman's 19-year-old son was also found with gunshot wounds to his upper body, officials said. He was taken to the hospital where he is in stable condition.

Police said the suspect is the woman's estranged husband and the father of the 19-year-old shooting victim. They did not release the suspect's name, but police said he is a convicted felon with a history of domestic violence within the household.

Police said the suspect has prior charges for domestic violence, guns, drugs and violent crimes and has been arrested more than seven times in the last several years.

Investigators are working with the family to determine the details around the shooting. Officials said the suspect was a convicted felon and should not have had a gun.

Authorities emphasize that this was a targeted shooting and was an isolated incident. There is no threat to the public or community.

Neighbors who live in the area said they didn’t know the family, but it’s a tragedy what took place.

The double shooting occurred on the same day state leaders were in the Brass City pushing for stricter gun laws, specifically to help reduce domestic violence deaths.

“In Connecticut, 59% of the female murder victims are killed by an intimate partner, and out of those, 41% are killed with a gun,” Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said.

Under proposed legislation by Gov. Ned Lamont, a 10-day waiting period would be implemented before a person could purchase a firearm.

“We think this cooling off period is really important right now, an abuser can simply, with the right documentation, walk into a gun store and walk out with a gun, and then immediately go to a very violent situation,” Bysiewicz said. 

However, Republicans don’t agree with the proposed laws. Sen. John Kissel said the issue stems from repeat offenders. A public hearing was held on the legislation on Monday.

“I would say three-to-one testimony, maybe even more than that, is in opposition to Governor Lamont’s proposals. Guns are not the problem. It is criminals that are the problem,” Kissel said.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Waterbury Police Department Detective Bureau at (203) 574-6941 or Crime Stoppers at (203) 755-1234.