Victim In New London Homicide, Arson ID'd: Police

NEW LONDON, CT — The woman killed before a man allegedly burned down a Sherman Street home has been identified, according to police. Shelby Dodson, 23, of 50 Sherman St. was the victim in the crime.

Police also said a 1-year-old infant who was injured in the blaze is in stable condition.

Police have charged a man in connection with the fire. George Dodson, 23, of 50 Sherman St., was charged with murder, risk of injury to a minor, first-degree arson, and several other charges. Dodson was held in lieu of a $3 million bond.

The New London Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting the fire on Sherman Street at 10:32 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

Firefighters found the man, woman, and child in the home and began medical services. The 23-year-old woman—later identified as Shelby Dodson—and the child, a 1-year-old infant, were in the front of the home, and the man was found in the rear of the home, police said.

Firefighters found the man with what appeared to be "self-inflicted injuries", according to The New London Day.

The baby and the man were transported to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for medical care. The infant was then transported to Yale New Haven Hospital for additional treatment, according to police. The man's injuries were considered non-life-threatening.

Medical personnel pronounced the woman dead at the scene. An investigation found that a domestic violence incident led to the fire being intentionally set, police said. Dodson was then taken into custody and charged.

The New London Day reported that the woman was killed with a hammer and knife. The accused is an "active-duty service member with the U.S. Navy," The Day reported. The infant was located in a crib on the second floor, according to reports.

The motive for the crime was "jealousy," as Dodson told police, "I did this. I killed her," as reported by The New London Day.

Dodson told police he had an open relationship and his wife "found another man she loved more and I could not stand the thought of it, so I killed her," according to the arrest warrant as cited by NBC Connecticut.

The identity of the woman killed is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, according to police.

See related: Man Charged With Murder Following New London Fire: Police