PLAINVILLE, CT — A 27-year-old Connecticut man shot and killed his girlfriend and two young daughters before taking his own life Friday afternoon following a two-hour standoff with police at their Milford Street home.
Patrick J. King called his sister shortly before 4 p.m. Friday, telling her he had shot his girlfriend and 4-year-old daughter and planned to kill himself, according to Plainville Police Chief Christopher Vanghele. The sister immediately called 911, prompting a massive law enforcement response that included SWAT teams from five surrounding towns. Officers surrounded the residence and attempted to negotiate King’s surrender, but he fatally shot himself when police deployed pepper gas into the home after two hours of failed negotiations.
Inside the house, police discovered the bodies of King’s girlfriend Felisha Matthews, 31, their 4-year-old daughter Ava R. King, and 12-year-old Mileena Matthews, Felisha’s daughter from a previous relationship. All three victims had been shot to death. King was transported to a nearby hospital after SWAT team members attempted life-saving measures, but he died from his injuries. The family had only recently moved to the Plainville residence in mid-January, and police confirmed there had been no previous calls to the address. King previously lived in Bristol before relocating to the Milford Street home.
The Central Region Emergency Response Team, comprised of officers from Bristol, Southington, Plainville, Plymouth and Cheshire police departments, established a perimeter around the residence and deployed drones during the standoff. A SWAT negotiator successfully made cell phone contact with King and spent two hours attempting to convince him to surrender peacefully. “After two hours of negotiation, police made the decision to deploy pepper gas in the home in an attempt to have King give himself up,” Vanghele said during a Saturday morning press conference. “As the pepper gas was deployed in the home, King reportedly killed himself with a single gunshot to his head.” Police removed multiple weapons from the residence, and investigators confirmed the gun used in the killings was legally registered to King, who held a valid permit to carry.
The tragedy deeply shook the close-knit Plainville community, particularly affecting the Middle School of Plainville where 12-year-old Mileena Matthews was a student. School officials coordinated with police to provide support services for students and staff beginning Monday morning. Neighbor Tim Sunderland described the family as appearing normal, telling reporters that “the little girl was always happy and running down the sidewalk to go to school.” Tom Eaton, who lives nearby and was picking up his children from Linden Street School just steps from the scene, witnessed the massive law enforcement response. “There were a lot of cops coming along hot, coming hard. A lot of sirens. Multiple towns, like a dozen cruisers,” Eaton said. “It’s a quiet, easy place. Everybody gets along.”
Town officials expressed their grief and promised support for the affected community members during the difficult time. “This is a very dark day for the Town of Plainville and for Connecticut,” Chief Vanghele said. “Our hearts are broken for this senseless loss, and our prayers go out to the family members that lost their loved ones.” Plainville Town Manager Michael Paulhus thanked the police department for their efforts during the incident and offered thoughts and prayers for the victims’ families. Town Council Chairman Christopher Wazorko emphasized the community’s resilience, stating, “The loss of life is deeply painful for this close-knit community, and we stand together in sorrow and compassion for all affected.” He also praised first responders who “acted with courage, compassion and professionalism in the face of this tragedy.”
The Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad is processing the scene in partnership with Plainville Police detectives, and autopsies were expected to be conducted Saturday at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Investigators have not yet determined a motive for the killings, and the case remains under active investigation. The incident marks one of the most tragic events in recent Plainville history, leaving the community searching for answers while grieving the loss of three lives.
