Berlin Teen's Death Is Ruled a Homicide

The death of the 15-year-old town teen who was shot with a pellet gun last week has been ruled a homicide by the Office of the Chief State’s Medical Examiner.

A spokesman said Monday afternoon that Berlin High School student Tyler Cop died from “a gunshot of (the) torso” and that his death has been ruled a homicide.

Berlin Deputy Police Chief John Klett said, “We are investigating it appropriately. Homicide can be accidental, unintentional or intentional (criminal) or even justifiable (self-defense).”

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Klett said state statutes prevent him from confirming the victim’s identity because victim’s age.

“Everybody involved is under the age of 18,” Klett said. “It was an unfortunate incident.”

Berlin Police were called about 1:30 p.m. July 12 to Division Street on a report of a 15-year-old boy having been shot with a pellet gun. He reportedly was shot by a 17-year-old relative also has not been identified.

Tyler died Thursday, July 16 at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday.

According to Klett, the teen’s death is the first homicide in Berlin since 2006.

Tyler’s obituary can be found here.

Photo: Tyler Cop. Credit: Berlin Memorial Funeral Home.