Unfounded Gun Scare At Coleman Brothers Carnival In Shelton: PD

SHELTON, CT — Reports of guns and gunfire over the weekend at the annual Coleman Brothers carnival in Shelton were unfounded, according to police, but additional officers will be on hand at the event through May 23.

At about 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, police received a report "that people had guns in the area of the carnival," and at the same time, there was also a report of a fight at the event, Shelton police said.

"Multiple officers were on scene within minutes of the report," police said. "Officers reported people fleeing the area. Based on the investigation by police, it is believed that someone yelled that people had guns. This is an unsubstantiated report."

Officers did not find any witnesses who saw a gun, and carnival employees and others also did not see any guns or hear any gunshots.

"The person who called 911, reported that she did not see a gun or a fight, she only saw people running and assumed a fight was taking place," police said.

As of Monday, there are no confirmed reports of a gun incident at the carnival on Saturday night, police said, but added that several social media posts referred to such incidents. However, some of those posts were referring to incidents in other communities.

In a post on the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Facebook page (see below), organizers said additional officers will be hired to patrol the carnival for the remainder of its run through May 23. The annual carnival benefits the local Boys & Girls Club.

"The Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley has been hosting a carnival fundraiser for many years without major incidents," police said. Every year there is communication regarding police and safety for the event. In the wake of last night’s alleged incident, a police command staff meeting was held and updates were made regarding police presence and to address safety concerns for the remainder of the carnival.

"Again an allegation regarding a gun incident last night at the carnival is unfounded at this point, but the police department takes these incidents seriously and will continue to monitor the situation and take the appropriate steps to ensure everyone’s safety."