Hartford Man Charged With Murder In Vernon Motel 6 Shooting

VERNON, CT — A 31-year-old Hartford man was formally charged with murder Monday morning in connection with a fatal shooting at a Vernon motel Sunday.

Alvin Waugh was taken into custody a short time after the shooting. In addition to murder, Waugh was charged with:

• The criminal use of a weapon
• The use of firearm in a Class A, B or C felony
• Carrying a firearm without a permit
• Tampering with physical evidence
• First-degree reckless endangerment
• Risk of injury

Waugh was still in custody at the Vernon police department Monday morning on a $5 million bond and was to appear in Rockville Superior Court later in the day.

The shooting took place at the Motel 6 at 51 Hartford Turnpikeat 3:53 p.m. Sunday.

The victim has been identified in a police report as Zeshan Chaudhry, 30 of Vernon. Lifesaving measures were attempted at the scene and Chaudhry was transported to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, police said.

The Vernon Police Department Detective Division along with the State Police Eastern Major Crimes Unit and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating the shooting.

According to court documents, Waugh and his girlfriend had been staying at the motel for about a month, and Waugh's girlfriend asked Chaudhry (the owner) about using the pool.

Waugh joined an argument that ensued about a $10 surcharge for a pool pass and the couple was thrown out of the hotel, according to court documents.

The documents describe Waugh leaving the pool area, returning with a gun, arguing with Chaudhry again and then shooting him several times.

Waugh ran to a wooded area nearby, but then called his girlfriend, talked to officers, and agreed to return, according to court documents.

The shooting was captured on surveillance equipment and Waugh confessed to the killing, according to the arrest affidavit.

Children were present in the general area when the shooting took place, police said.

Investigators are asking any witnesses or anyone with information to contact the Vernon Police Department at 860-872-9126.