A man suspected of shooting three people at a housing complex in Westerly, Rhode Island, has been found dead of what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The 66-year old-man, who was a resident at Babcock Village, shot and killed an employee and wounded two other people.
Police were called at around 10:30 Thursday morning to the facility in the southern Rhode Island town that borders Connecticut.
As of Thursday afternoon, one victim, a female resident at Babcock Village, was receiving treatment at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. Another victim, a woman who was an employee at the facility, was initially taken to Westerly Hospital but then transferred to Yale New Haven Hospital by helicopter.
Police said they have no idea whether the suspect knew any of the victims or if the killing was targeted.
They said they located the suspect inside an apartment in the complex.
“We used a master key to get into the room, then we had a robot go in with video capabilities, and at that time the tactical team made entry and determined that the suspect was deceased,” said Westerly Police Chief Shawn Lacey.
One handgun was recovered. Police would not say whether that weapon was legally obtained by the suspect.
Westerly public schools were placed on lockdown after the police were alerted, along with the local library, and the emergency services department at Westerly Hospital. Schools in neighboring Stonington, Connecticut, were also placed on lockdown during the incident. Those lockdowns have since been lifted.
In addition to local police, Rhode Island National Guard and state police SWAT teams responded to the shooting.
In a statement, Property Advisory Group, the Providence-based real estate company that owns Babcock Village, said it was working with authorities to address the situation.
“We are shocked and saddened that this tragedy has occurred. Our priority, as always, is the safety of our residents and staff,” the company statement read.
This story has been updated.
