UPDATE

                                   STATE POLICE & COVENTRY POLICE

                               INVESTIGATE SHOOTING IN COVENTRY

   At approximately 5:46 PM, on 04/14/08 the Coventry Police Department received several emergency telephone calls reporting that there was an armed male in a parking lot on Main Street adjacent to the Bidwell Tavern. Another caller reported hearing a gunshot. 

   Coventry Police Officers responded and located a male in the parking lot of 1218 Main Street. This man was armed with a handgun and was also carrying a small child.  The man told responding officer that he was going to shoot himself.  Coventry Police Officers established verbal communication with the male suspect in an attempt to convince him to release the child.

   Additional Police resources were requested to respond to the scene. Law Enforcement Officers from the Connecticut State Police, the Willimantic Police Department, the UCONN Police Department, and the Capitol Region Emergency Response Team all responded to provide additional personnel and equipment

   The suspect was contained and perimeters were established to contain this situation.  During the course of negotiating with this suspect, it was learned that he had shot and injured a woman who had been in his apartment.  Emergency Medical personnel from the Coventry Fire Department responded and rendered emergency care to the woman who was suffering from a gunshot.  Life Star took her to Hartford Hospital. The female victim is identified as AMANDA REALIE  DOB: 4/4/81  1218 Main St Coventry, CT.  She is listed in very critical condition,

   Officers continued to negotiate with this male suspect, who continued to threaten to shoot himself.  The suspect was finally convinced to drop the gun he was holding.  Tactical police officers used a TASER to subdue the suspect and recover the child. The child was taken to an area hospital to be checked for injuries. The child appeared to be physically unharmed. 

   At the request of the State’s Attorney and Coventry Police Chief Palmer the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad was summoned to this scene to conduct the criminal investigation into this incident assisted by the Coventry Police Department.

   The male suspect was transported to Troop-C where he is being held on $1,000,000 bond to appear in Rockville Superior Court. 

ARRESTED: FERRER, Alfredo  DOB: 12/27/64

                      1218 Main St  Coventry, CT.

CHARGES: Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder

                    Assault 1^st

                    Assault of a pregnant person

                    Risk of Injury to minors (2CTS)

                    Reckless Endangerment 1^st (3CTS)

                    Breach of Peace

                    Criminal Possession of a Firearm

                    Criminal Use of a Firearm

                    Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm

The accused will be arraigned at Rockville Superior Court today 04/15/08

###END###

LT. J. Paul Vance