Multiple rifle rounds were shot through the windshield of a Norwich police cruiser as an officer was responding to reports of gunfire around the city’s Westwood Park housing complex.
October 28, 2021 – By Christine Dempsey – Source Hartford Courant
A man who fired multiple rifle shots at a Norwich police officer through a patrol car windshield Tuesday night — the second such incident in the state in two days — was arrested on attempted murder and other charges, police said Wednesday.
Andrew O’Lone, 28, was in custody on $1 million bail, they said. His other charges include assault on a police officer, possession of an assault weapon and criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault.
It was the second time in two days a police officer was shot at in Connecticut. A Hartford officer narrowly missed being shot, and was injured by flying glass, when she was fired on Monday night, police said.
According to police, the Norwich officer was shot at shortly before 10 p.m. in the area of the Westwood Park housing complex as he was responding to a report of shots being fired there.
He was the first officer to arrive and spotted a person carrying a rifle. The person “immediately began firing at the officer, striking the cruiser with several rounds,” police said. Multiple rounds went through the windshield.
The officer, who is not identified in a department news release, returned fire, police said. No one was shot.
Officers surrounded the area, and police from area agencies arrived to help with the manhunt.
A short time after police set up a perimeter, they found the suspect at his home at 123 Westwood Park, a short distance from the scene. O’Lone surrendered and was taken into custody, police said. His other charges are possession of an assault weapon, possession of a high-capacity magazine, first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal mischief.
Eastern District Major Crime detectives from the state police are helping with the investigation, police said.
Anyone who saw the exchange of gunfire or has information about it is asked to contact Det. Richard Cannata at 860-886-5561 ext. 3138 or at rcannata@cityofnorwich.org. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the tip line at 860-886-5561 ext. 4.
Courant staff writer Jesse Leavenworth contributed to this report.
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