Fatal Shooting Victim ID’d, Police Update Investigation: Meriden PD

MERIDEN, CT — The woman who was fatally shot Monday night has been identified as 28-year-old Beth Ndwiga of Meriden, police said in an update on Tuesday evening.

Lt. Darrin McKay also gave an update on the ongoing investigation, which included detectives and patrol officers searching the Meriden Green during the early morning hours for any possible evidence related to the shooting.

“First off, we here at the Meriden Police Department wish to express our sincerest condolences to the victim’s family,” McKay wrote in a news release. “This type of senseless violence happens way too often in communities across not only our state but our country as well and at this time our hearts are with the victim’s family.”

McKay said the investigation began with a “thorough and systematic search of the Green while other detectives continued to follow up additional leads.”

Through their efforts, McKay said police identified a woman who was suspected of being involved in the dispute that led to the shooting on Monday night.

Then, around 12 noon, detectives found that a woman who was potentially involved in the incident lived in an apartment on West Main Street, according to McKay.

“Since our investigation, which began last evening, led us to believe that this female had been in the company of an unidentified male at the time of the shooting and that the weapon used in the shooting had not been located, we took every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of the community,” McKay wrote. “Numerous residents of the building were evacuated, area streets were blocked, and traffic was diverted in order to ensure public safety.

“A perimeter was established around the building and detectives began the application of a search warrant for the premises based on information which we developed thus far. Once the warrant was signed our SWAT team, which had already been activated, eventually did make entry into the apartment after having made numerous attempts to get anyone inside to come out peacefully and voluntarily. Upon entry, the apartment was found to be unoccupied; however, our investigation inside of the apartment is still active and ongoing.

“At this time, I just wanted to thank you all for your patience today as this investigation unfolded. It’s been a long day and although I would like to get you all some details sooner, our first priority is the safety and the welfare of the community and all of our officers involved so there are times such as this that we do need to hold off until an operation such as this has concluded.

“Finally, the Members of the Meriden PD would like to thank all of the members of the CT State Police who assisted us today along with the members of the Meriden Fire Department and that staff at of GA-7 the State Superior Court.”

Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact Detective Sergeant John Wagner at 203-630-6334.

(Original post) MERIDEN, CT — Police are investigating after a woman was shot and killed Monday night in Meriden, according to officials.

Police responded around 10:10 p.m. to the 100 block of State Street on the report of a dispute and shots fired, according to Lt. Darrin McKay.

Arriving officers found an unidentified woman who had apparently been shot, McKay said. Medical personnel responded, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene, according to McKay.

McKay said the initial investigation determined that the people who were arguing, including the victim, appeared to know each other at this time “we have no reason to believe that there is any further threat or danger to the public.”

The Meriden Green reopened around 12 noon on Tuesday after being closed for several hours as part of the crime scene investigation, according to McKay.

McKay said the victim’s identity isn’t being released at this time, and more information will be as soon as possible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective John Wagner at 203-630-6334 or Detective Thomas Giannakopoulos at 203-630-6339.