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Officers from the Watertown Police Department responded to a Litchfield Road home at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, where there was a report of a man who had just shot two teens, police said.
Upon arrival, they found the teens with gunshot wounds to the chest, and their mother's boyfriend, Paul Ferguson, 42, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in the master bedroom.
It was determined that Ferguson, who had recently moved into the home, shot his girlfriend’s daughter and son after getting into an argument over his smoking cigarettes inside the house.
Police said that the 15-year-old daughter was involved in a “dust-up” with Ferguson, who proceeded to leave, return with a Glock handgun. He first shot his girlfriend’s 16-year-old son in the leg when he attempted to intervene. While the girlfriend went to call the police, she reportedly heard another gunshot.
As a convicted felon, police noted that Ferguson was barred from possessing a handgun.
“The deaths of these children is a tragedy for our whole community and the police department extends our deepest sympathy to the victims' mother, family, and friends,” police said in a statement.
According to police, the two teenagers were transported to Waterbury Hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. Each was a student at Kaynor Technical High School in Waterbury.
“The Watertown community has suffered a tremendous loss. Two former students were tragically killed last night in a shooting at their home.
"Although the two siblings who were killed were not enrolled at our High School, they attended Watertown schools through eighth grade and formed close relationships with students and staff over the years,” Watertown Schools Superintendent Rydell Harrison said.
“This morning, crisis teams are in place at Watertown High School and Swift Middle School to support students and staff as they grieve.
"Our school community, like the wonderful town we live in, will come together to do everything we can to provide support to our students, staff, and families during this difficult time.”
The state superintendent of technical education, Jeffrey Wihbey, added, “our hearts go out to the students’ family and friends during this difficult time. There is nothing worse that can happen to a school community.
"Our No. 1 priority right now is doing all we can to support our students, staff, and families through this crisis.
“Prior to the start of the school day, Kaynor Tech assembled the school’s crisis team. The team will provide grief counseling to students and anyone in the school community who may need it over the coming days.”
A prayer vigil for the family is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Main Street in Thomastown. The shooting remains under investigation.
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