Branford, CT – Police are in a standoff in Branford with an “active shooter” who has been taking shots at police and pedestrians at a shopping center.
UPDATE: The suspect has been found dead. It’s unclear at this time if he was killed by law enforcement or suicide.
A witness told the Hartford Courant they heard the first burst of gunfire at about 11:50 a.m. on April 13.
Steve Milano described having heard the gunman fire 200 to 300 rounds since then.
Milano manages the Richlin Home and Auto located across the street from where the gunman is barricaded.
He told the Hartford Courant the shooter was “firing indiscriminately” with an automatic weapon.
“It’s crazy, I’ve never seen anything like this,” Milano said.
Branford police said the suspect is barricaded inside a business near Main Street at Cherry Hill Road and urged people to avoid the entire area, WABC reported.
Witnesses in a nearby laundromat told WTNH that the gunman has barricaded himself in a hair salon and was firing a gun at officers from there.
They said police told them to take cover in the back of the business.
The gunman fired hundreds of shots from the second floor of the house where the hair salon is located, the Hartford Courant reported.
FROM EVACUEE @WTNH pic.twitter.com/49hsoKaDt9
— Sabina Kuriakose (@SabinaKuriakose) April 13, 2021
SWAT is here. People are still being told to shelter inside their homes/businesses. @WTNH
— Sabina Kuriakose (@SabinaKuriakose) April 13, 2021
NOW: Witnesses tell News 8 the gunman is barricaded inside hair salon, with view of shopping plaza where customers are taking cover. Witness tells News 8 gunman fired towards plaza & towards police. Neighbor describes hearing rapid gunfire @WTNH
— Sabina Kuriakose (@SabinaKuriakose) April 13, 2021
There is an active threat on Main St in Branford. CSP is assisting Branford PD. I95 Ex 53 is shut down. Anyone traveling in or around the area use alternate routes & avoid the area. The scene is active fluid & ongoing. Updates will provide will be provided when available
— CT State Police (@CT_STATE_POLICE) April 13, 2021
Police have attempted to surround the hair salon but haven’t been able to because the gunman keeps shooting at them, witnesses told WTNH.
There was no information as to whether anyone had been shot or injured.
Multiple law enforcement agencies have responded to the scene including the South Central Regional SWAT Team, WABC reported.
🚨My office has received reports of an active shooter in Branford. Police are on the scene in the area of 241 Main Street. Please stay clear of that area. Our law enforcement officers are actively working to deescalate and apprehend the individual. Praying for everyone's safety.
— Christine Cohen (@SenatorCohenCT) April 13, 2021
#BREAKING Police are in a standoff with a barricaded active shooter in Branford, Connecticut.
pic.twitter.com/2EUWud4vVw— News This Second (@NewsThisSecond) April 13, 2021
Multiple police agencies still responding to the Active Shooter situation in Branford, CT
— United States News Block (@USNewsBlock) April 13, 2021
This is a developing story and we will keep you updated. For all of our updates, follow us on Facebook and go to your news feed preferences under your settings, then select that you want to see more of The Police Tribune’s posts in your news feed. Otherwise, Facebook may not show you updates.
Holly Matkin