Watch CBS News

Investigation Continues Into 15-Year-Old's Death At Dad's Hand In New Fairfield

NEW FAIRFIELD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) --  State police in Connecticut said it will likely be a week before they're done with an investigation into the fatal shooting of a masked teenager by his father.

WCBS 880's Paul Murnane On The Story

Podcast

Spokesman Lt. Paul Vance said investigators will speak with anyone who had ties with 15-year-old Tyler Giuliano and his father Jeffrey.

Tyler was wearing a mask outside his aunt's house when she called for her brother Jeffrey -- Tyler's father -- for help.

Jeffrey Giuliano charged across the lawn with his personal gun in his hand and confronted the masked intruder, CBS 2's Lou Young reported.

There appeared to be a weapon in the masked intruder's hand, Young reported. Jeffrey Giuliano fired and the intruder fell to the ground.

Vance said it was police who removed the black ski mask, revealing the victim's identity to his father. Jeffrey had sat on the curb next to the body until the police arrived.

On Friday, State Troopers said the weapon found in Tyler's possession was a knife.

1010 WINS' Al Jones reports

Podcast

Authorities will be reconstructing the days and hours leading up to this tragedy and, like many in the small town of New Fairfield, investigators are wondering why the youngster was dressed in black outside the home of his aunt after midnight.

"The family dynamics are part and parcel to the investigation. We'll interview everyone and anyone that has any relationship with the young man and with the family," Vance told WCBS 880 reporter Paul Murnane.

Residents are still trying to wrap their minds around this horrible family tragedy.

"He's probably one of the most dedicated, wonderful teachers...I've ever known," Colleen Palace, told Young.  "He loves the kids.  He doesn't do it for the money -- he does it for the kids."

First Selectman John Hodge said it has dealt his town a heavy blow.

"The schools had grief counselors yesterday for the kids. They're going to have grief counselors there again today with as much as a normal schedule as is possible under the circumstances," Hodge told Murnane.

"It's a kind of grade B Hollywood script -- it just doesn't make sense." Hodge told Young. "I think were all wondering what was on that boy's mind."

"He was like the sweetest kid. He was always smiling and he could make anybody laugh so I just thought it was so strange when I heard," High School junior Erin Palace told Young.

The medical examiner determined Tyler died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Tyler's teachers said he was an active member of the high school Civil Air Patrol and had volunteered last year for emergency work at the school during widespread blackouts in that part of the state.

Weekend school activities have been cancelled due to the tragedy.

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.