NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — Two men were killed after an argument that escalated to violence at an apartment building in New Britain early Monday afternoon, police said.
Officers were called to an apartment building on Walnut Street just before 1 p.m. Monday after reports of shots fired. They found a 33-year-old man from Rocky Hill lying on the ground outside the building suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Emergency personnel provided treatment, however, he died from his injury at the scene.
A second victim, identified as a 25-year-old male from New Haven, was found inside an apartment in the building also suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died from his injury.
Police said the preliminary investigation shows that both men knew each other and were engaged in an active dispute, which quickly escalated and turned violent. Both men were armed and exchanged gunfire.
"This is a very specific and isolated incident," said New Britain Police Chief Christopher Chute. "There is no threat to the public at this time."
Neighbors said they were left feeling very uneasy, and that incidents like these seem to be happening more and more often.
"It's been like this throughout the years that I've been here, off and on," said Alexander Rivers of New Britain.
Concerns over violence even prompting some to want to move away and take steps to keep their families safe.
"We just try to live through we stay to ourselves and keep inside we don't bring our kids out," Rivers said.
"I used to love to come out and just like go for walks with my kids and stuff like that but now it's like a little uneasy, I would probably drive to somewhere else and get out and walk around then do it around here," said Liana Copeland of New Britain.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Sgt. Kyle Jones at 860-826-3132 or the NBPD Anonymous Tip Line at 860-826-3199.
Gaby Molina is a reporter and anchor at FOX61 News. She can be reached at gmolina@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Doug Stewart is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
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