CRIME SOLVERS TIPLINE:  860-527-TIPS

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Tuesday, November 6, 2007

HARTFORD POLICE INVESTIGATE
HOMICIDE OF LORNA COLEY

         At approximately 8:34 p.m., Hartford Police were dispatched to 47 Bolton Street on a report of a domestic dispute.  On arrival occupants of 47 Bolton Street reported to police that Girard Chapdelaine, DOB 11/16/1967, father of an infant son in the home, had been in the front yard waving a firearm and making threats to the family.  The HPD learned that a restraining order was in effect prohibiting this individual from coming near the family.

        Responding officers obtained the name and description of the suspect, towed his vehicle that was still at the location, and connected family members by phone with counseling and emergency shelter services inasmuch as the suspect, who had fled the area, was still at large.  Responding police officers began preparing an arrest warrant for Chapdelaine as a canvass of the neighborhood for the suspect was conducted.  HPD Patrol Officers also conducted a search of Chapdelaine’s home at 51 Bolton Street, in their attempts to locate the suspect.

At 12:03 a.m., Hartford Police were dispatched to 47 Bolton Street on a report of a party shot.  On arrival officers located Lorna Coley, age 47, the infants grandmother, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, and other family members at the home unharmed.  Police learned that the suspect had returned and shot Lorna Coley.  Ms. Coley was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel.   The suspect’s description was broadcast to area police.  At 12:50 a.m., Hartford Police received word from Wethersfield Police that the suspect, Girard Chapdelaine, had been located by Wethersfield Police officers and was shot by return fire as he attempted to discharge his weapon at Wethersfield Police.

The investigation of the Bolton Street homicide of Lorna Coley is being conducted by Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division (MCD).  Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact MCD Sergeant Rob Davis at 860-757-4256 or Sergeant Ed Yergeau at 860-757-4257, or call the HPD’s Crime Solver’s Tipline at 860-527-TIPS (8477).

Girard Chapdelaine, DOB 11/16/1967

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Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 757-4021
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