Man In Branford Police Standoff Shot Himself: Officials

BRANFORD, CT — The state medical examiner and Branford police believe the man involved in an hours-long standoff with police Tuesday shot and killed himself.

The man was identified as Matthew Walker, 38, of Branford.

Walker had a moving business with his brother called 2 Bros and a Truck, based in East Haven. He also lived in Darien, according to public records.

Another man was shot during the standoff and suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening, police said. That man was listed in stable condition Wednesday.

The standoff happened at a building at 241 Main St. where Walker lived, police said. Branford police Deputy Chief John Alves said officers arrived at the building within 90 seconds of a 911 call of shots fired — and when they arrived, they were met with heavy gunfire.

Bill Mannle lives next door to the building. He told Patch that at noon, gunshots woke him from a nap. He said he ran to the front of his house, heard more shots, opened his door, and saw police officers. They urged him to go back inside for safety and then 5 minutes later, came back and said they needed to come in, he said.

He said Branford police and the regional SWAT team went to the second floor and roof of his home. An hour or so later, armored vehicles arrived and police told him to go into his basement and stay put, he said, adding he was in his basement for four hours.

Other witnesses, including those at Shelley's Garden Center, said they were stunned and frightened.

A beautiful day, until shots rang out

A 911 call reporting shots fired near Main Street and Cherry Hill Road came in just after noon Tuesday. When officers got arrived, they encountered "heavy gunfire" coming from the upper floors of a business/apartment building at 241 Main St. Police said a flurry of 911 calls reported a gunshot victim nearby. Police said they continued to face heavy gunfire and were pinned down until armored BearCat vehicles arrived.

East Haven police arrived to assist "in a matter of minutes."

Alves said first responders could not immediately reach the male shooting victim. When they did, he was taken by the Branford Fire Department to Yale New Haven Hospital.

The South Central Regional SWAT Team, comprised of officers from Branford, North Haven, East Haven, North Branford, Guilford and Madison, then took over the operation.

The gunfire continued and officers tried to make contact with the barricaded man using bullhorns and other means. He did not respond, police said. At 4 p.m., police tactical units, with two armored vehicles posted, were heard on a bullhorn trying to negotiate with the suspect, two witnesses told Patch. "We just want to talk to you" was heard.

After hours, with roads blocked off and many neighboring families either evacuated from their homes or sheltering in place, police sent in a drone, which showed the man was dead. It was 6 p.m.

The New Haven State's Attorney and the Connecticut State Police Major Case Squad is investigating with Branford police detectives.

Police said Walker was alone in the building throughout the siege.

Police said he used a number of firearms while shooting from a second-floor window. In the aftermath Wednesday, there were dozens of bullet holes in nearby homes, windows, cars and fences. Police said the suspect had long guns, handguns and "plenty of ammunition." Some, but possibly not all, were registered to the suspect, police said. That's still under investigation, as is his background and a possible motive.

"Yesterday was a very difficult day for the town of Branford," Alves said, adding that while the loss of one life is tragic, he's grateful no one else was killed.

Watch the full Branford Police Department news conference on the standoff: