A 43-year-old Middletown man accused of killing a woman was arrested after a police pursuit ended in a gunfire exchange in Hartford, authorities said.
Barrington Oneil Brown Jr. is facing charges of murder, second-degree stalking and unlawful discharge of a firearm in connection with the death of a woman in Middletown. He was taken to a medical facility after being wounded during the police shooting and later appeared in court.
Middletown police responded to a residence in the city’s West Lake area shortly after 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, after receiving a report of a suspicious death. Investigators found a woman with a gunshot wound and other injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives quickly identified Brown as a suspect and began tracking his movements, according to police.
Investigators then shared information about a vehicle believed to be connected to the homicide with other law enforcement agencies. A license plate reader detected the vehicle in West Hartford, prompting officers to locate it near New Park Avenue.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled. Officers used tire-deflation devices as the pursuit continued toward Hartford.
The chase ended near Flatbush Avenue, where police said Brown and West Hartford officers exchanged gunfire. Brown was wounded, as was another person who was in the vehicle. Both suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening, authorities said. No West Hartford officers were injured.
Brown was taken for medical treatment and remained in Middletown police custody.
Investigation into the killing
Details included in the arrest warrant describe a relationship between Brown and the woman that investigators said had become increasingly concerning before the shooting.
Police said the woman appeared frightened of Brown shortly before her death. Investigators also said family members had previously reported concerns that Brown was monitoring her.
According to the warrant, police found what they believed was a GPS tracking device beneath the woman’s vehicle. Investigators also cited a previous report involving a statement attributed to Brown that he could not live without the woman and that if he could not have her and their children, nobody could.
The warrant further states that the woman encountered Brown at Mohegan Sun roughly 15 hours before she was killed while meeting her boyfriend. A witness told investigators that she had previously discussed seeking a restraining order but did not believe she had enough evidence to obtain one. The witness also described her as appearing fearful after seeing Brown.
Those allegations are part of the arrest warrant and have not been established as facts at trial.
Arrest followed a multi-city pursuit
After detectives identified Brown as a suspect, Middletown police issued a regional alert for the vehicle they believed he was using.
The vehicle was later detected by an automated license plate reader in West Hartford. Officers located it and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver fled. The pursuit continued onto Flatbush Avenue in Hartford before the vehicle stopped and the gunfire occurred.
The Connecticut Office of the Inspector General is investigating the officer-involved shooting. Connecticut State Police investigators also responded to the scene to collect evidence.
The shooting temporarily closed part of Flatbush Avenue and affected traffic in the area Wednesday morning.
Brown held on $3 million bond
Brown appeared in Middletown Superior Court on Wednesday and was held on a $3 million bond. He is scheduled to return to court Oct. 13.
The case remains under investigation, including the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and the subsequent officer-involved shooting.
Anyone with information about the Middletown homicide can contact the Middletown Police Department’s Major Investigations Unit.
