An elderly man shot and killed his 81-year-old wife before turning the gun on himself at a central Connecticut nursing home, facility officials said Friday.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. at Apple Rehab in Cromwell, just south of Hartford.
Dennis Brandt, 82, who doesn't live at the facility, walked in the door, checked in at the desk, and went into his room, according to Michael Lundy, the company's vice president of operations. It looked like he was doing something. I went to the building to meet my wife Barbara.
An employee who heard the gunshots ran into the room and called 911, Lundy said. No one witnessed the shooting.
“The staff are very upset. We have contacted them all,” he added. “There are a lot of emotions. It is well understood that there is shock and trauma.”
The tragic incident was confirmed by Cromwell Police Chief Frederick Sifodaskarakis, who said in a news release Friday afternoon that authorities were called to 156 Berlin Street. “For active shooter reports.”
When first responding officers arrived on the scene, they found both men “dead from gunshot wounds.” The victims were later identified as Mr. and Mrs. Brandt.
Sifodaskarakis said the incident was considered under control and there was no further threat to the public.
Lundy said the woman had lived at the facility since 2021, but did not have a roommate and was alone in her room at the time of the shooting.
The motive for the apparent murder-suicide remains unknown at this time.
News wire service available
