A Norwich Police officer has been upgraded from critical condition to serious condition and now to fair condition after being shot five times on Monday during a standoff.
State police have identified the shooter as Jason Razzino, 30, and said he took his own life. Police said he suffered a single self-inflicted gunshot.
The officer has been identified as Officer Jonathan Ley, a veteran of the Coast Guard who has been with Norwich Police for 14 years. Police said he is a highly decorated veteran of the department.
Ley, the father of a 2-year-old son, is outgoing, police said, and has been the face of the department at job fairs.
Neighbors said he is an outdoorsy person who loves canoeing and bike riding.
Police were called to the Cedar Glen Apartment complex at 99 Cedar Street around 2:45 p.m. after receiving a report of a despondent person with a weapon who threatened to commit suicide-by-cop.
Police said Razzino had a rifle and a handgun.
Officers set up a perimeter around the building and tried to communicate with Razzino, according to police.
Around 3:55 p.m., several shots were fired and Officer Ley struck several times.
He was rushed by ambulance to Backus Hospital in Norwich and then transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital, according to State Police. Officials said that Ley was shot in the arm, leg, back and base of the neck. Officials said on Tuesday morning that Ley is talking and is able to move his arms and legs.
The apartment building was evacuated during the standoff. Police found Razzino dead in the bathroom.
People who were evacuated from the Cedar Street area were taken to the Kelly Middle School in Norwich. The American Red Cross delivered supplies for more than a dozen people who were there.
Neighbors said Razzino was a nice guy and had a girlfriend and at least one child.
State Police also responded to the scene with additional manpower and specialized equipment, according to Norwich Deputy Police Chief Warren Mocek.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/The Norwich Bulletin, John Shishmanianb