Update: Man Shot, Killed At Branford Motel During Alleged Robbery

BRANFORD, CT — A shooting at the Branford Motel overnight left a man dead, Deputy Police Chief John Alves told Patch.

Police said that when they arrived, at around 1:30 a.m., they found the shooter at the motel. He reported being robbed at gunpoint while staying there. Officers located an "armed male individual" in a room at the motel who'd been shot "multiple" times, Alves said.

Medics from the Branford Fire Department attempted to treat the man, however they soon determined he was already dead, police said.

Alves said Branford police detectives are in the "beginning stages of a lengthy investigation," and "all people involved" are being interviewed.

As of Thursday morning, police were in the process of identifying the dead man and notifying his next of kin.

Alves said there was no threat to public safety.

At the scene

At around 10 a.m. Thursday, the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crimes unit arrived at the 470 East Main St., motel to assist in processing the scene. The room where the shooting death happened is in the far rear corner of the motel.

A trooper who declined to be identified noted they'd just arrived, and he was seen trying to locate a motel employee.

Inside the motel office, as a new guest was checking in, staff members declined to speak to a reporter.

Vehicles from numerous states were parked across the motel lot.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Branford Police Department at 203-481-4241 or the anonymous tip line at 203-315-3909.

What happened to the Hampton Inn plans?

In February 2020, the town Planning and Zoning Commission blessed a plan that would have seen the motel razed to make way for a Hampton Inn.

As Patch wrote about at the time, the motel was a "hot spot" for illegal activity for more than a decade. In 2014, there was a robbery and killing in the motel. In 2016, a man staying there attacked police responding to a domestic dispute, and cops said he even tried to choke a K9.

Read that full story here.

Town Planner Harry Smith explained that once the plan is approved, the applicant has years to complete the project.

"This is a valid approval," he said, adding that the applicant has up to 10 years, and perhaps more, to start construction.

And, as a result of the pandemic, extensions have been approved by the state legislature. Smith said that there's been no attempt by anyone associated with the project to contact the planning and zoning department.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.