Police have set out on a manhunt to find a possibly armed suspect after a shooting took place in Middletown, Connecticut, on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 19.
An investigation was launched in the afternoon on May 19, with police believing the shooting was an isolated incident that took place between two known parties. Additionally, no injuries were reported as part of the incident.
The Middletown Police Department issued a shelter-in-place for streets including East Street, Westlake Drive, Smith Street, Country Club Road and Atkins Street shortly after the shooting. However, the shelter-in-place was lifted before police were able to take the suspect into custody.
The suspect has been identified as Christopher Robert Lane, who was last seen wearing all black. Police shared a photo of Lane, 29, and urged anyone who may cross paths with him to not approach him or make any contact with him.
“The suspect remains at large and there will continue to be a heavy police presence in the areas of Atkins Street and Industrial Park as officers actively investigate and search the area,” the police department wrote via Facebook on May 19. “Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.”
Investigators also shared the last known surveillance photo of Lane, which was taken in the 100 block of Roscommon Drive around 6:30 p.m. on May 19.
The manhunt for Lane remains ongoing as of time of publication on Wednesday, May 20. Police have asked that anyone with information regarding the search for Lane call 911 immediately.
Following the shooting, resident Matthew Garafolo told Eyewitness News 3 that he was on a walk with his dog when police began their search.
“It looks like SWAT just pulled up. They have the drones and more people are rolling up the second,” he told the outlet.
Garafolo added that he saw state and Cromwell police investigating near his apartment complex.
“They are right here. It’s the driveway to our apartment complex right here and you have hundreds of people that live that way,” he said. “So, definitely a sight that we’re not used to seeing around here for sure.”
Garafolo also shared that the area is often busy and is heavily populated with children and families.
“There’s a ton of woods in the area so definitely a little nerve-racking, but you just have to have your head on a swivel,” he said of the search for Lane.
