Surveillance Images Sought In Vernon-Somers Shooting/Pursuit Case

VERNON/SOMERS, CT — Police are looking for surveillance images as they continue to investigate a shooting at a Vernon apartment complex that led a a pursuit in Somers when the gunman fled the scene.

The shooting took place Jan. 8 at the Parkwest Apartments in Vernon and a search commenced in Somers after a suspect crashed a car in Somers, police said.

Vernon Police have been working with the state forensic lab to analyze evidence seized at both locations. Vernon Police have also been working jointly with Somers Police and the state police Eastern District Major Crime Squad to canvass neighborhoods in Somers where the shooter is believed to have fled.

Police believe a lone man fled on foot following the pursuit. Police said they are working to "obtain a reliable description" of the suspect, but do not believe the shooter is in the Somers area and have no reason to believe he has any ties to Somers.

Vernon Police said they are working with Massachusetts authorities in their attempts to identify and apprehend the shooter.

Vernon Police are still asking residents in Somers to check their home surveillance cameras on
Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 between about 12:50 and 5 a.m. for a suspicious person in the area. Anyone who has video that could be relevant to the investigation should contact Det. Charles Hicking at 860-872-9126 or chicking@vernon-ct.gov, police said.

At 12:45 a.m. Friday, Vernon police responded to the Parkwest Apartments for a reported shooting.

Vernon police spokesman William Meier said responding officers found that an apartment had been struck by "gunfire." No one was injured but the apartment was occupied at the time of the
shooting, he said.

A short time later, a Vernon officer spotted the vehicle believed to be involved in the shooting on Route 83 and attempted to stop it, Meier said.

That led to a pursuit that traveled into Somers where the vehicle crashed onto grass at the corner of Routes 83 and 190, police said.

The suspect fled the vehicle on foot and is believed to be armed and dangerous, Meier said.

Somers public school officials initially announced a two-hour delay and, "out of an abundance of caution," diverted to a full remote schedule Friday as authorities searched the town.

Police believe a disturbance preceded the shooting. Anyone with information on the incident is being asked to call Vernon police at 860-872-9126.