At least 9 officers were injured when a barn exploded behind a house where police were negotiating with a man after a violent domestic incident in North Haven, CT. Photo: WFSB screenshot
At least 9 officers were injured Wednesday night when a barn exploded behind a house where police were negotiating with a man after a violent domestic incident in North Haven, CT, reports CBS News.
Yale-New Haven Hospital said they had 9 patients from the incident, and they were all in fair condition and suffered cuts, abrasions, and bruises, according to CBS News. Two of the injured officers were later released from the hospital Thursday, according to Freda, who said the others who remained hospitalized were in good spirits. The injured officers were members of the regional tactical team and included five from East Haven, three from North Haven, and one from Branford, reports the Associated Press.
"They all did suffer injuries that were consistent with the blast," North Haven Deputy Police Chief Jonathan Mulhern said. "This impacted not only the North Haven Police Department, not only our community, but this is a far reaching incident to the other communities that serve the south central region."
A man, who has now been identified as John Sayre, according to the Associated Press, had reportedly barricaded himself inside the home due to a domestic violence incident. Police have not identified remains found at the scene; however, the man was the only person believed to be inside the home at the time of the blast, reports FOX61.
"This started late this afternoon with what was apparently a very violent domestic call," North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda told FOX61. The police "were trying to coax him…out of the house and really try to calm the situation down. Then things took a turn for the worse with an explosion."
The woman who sparked the investigation was not in the home at the time of the standoff. It was not considered a hostage situation.
CBS Hartford, Connecticut affiliate WFSB-TV reports the incident began around 2 p.m. Tuesday when a female victim entered North Haven Police headquarters complaining of an incident at the home. She said she had escaped from the home after being held hostage by her husband for 3 days, CBS News reports.
He then barricaded himself in the barn, WFSB says. That was followed by the explosion, the station says.
