The Associated Press
NEWINGTON, Conn. (AP) - A town police officer who was shot while responding to a domestic call was being held hostage early Friday as state troopers and police from surrounding towns swarmed the scene.
Mayor Thomas McBride identified the injured officer was Peter Lavery, a 19-year veteran of the force. The extent of the officer’s injuries were not released.
“He’s very much alive,” McBride said.
Lavery was shot at about 10:30 p.m. while responding to a home on Mountain View Drive. He was still in the home early Friday, but the shooter’s wife escaped.
A state correction officer owns the home and was holding the officer hostage in the basement, WTIC-AM and The Hartford Courant reported.
A Lifestar medical helicopter landed at the scene.
Just before midnight, police appeared to try to enter the house to rescue the officer. Rifle fire and a blast that sounded like a concussion grenade were heard a short time later.
State troopers, area police and a police emergency response team came to Newington’s aid when the officer did not respond to calls from his colleagues late Thursday.
No other information was available.