42°
Fenton was the first officer on the scene and was confronted by Christopher Andrews, 51, the presumed assailant, in the home’s driveway, police said. When Andrews, who was holding a weapon, refused an order to stand down, Fenton fatally shot him, police said.
Andrews’ wife and three children — ages 15, 13 and 12 — were all injured in the attack, which took place at about 6 a.m. Police did not identify the weapon he was holding but said it was not a gun.
Fenton joined the Fairfield Police Department and has served with distinction since May 1990, Police Chief Gary MacNamara said in a statement Wednesday. During his career, he has received 35 letters of commendation, one Exceptional Service Award, one Life Saving Award and one Medal of Meritorious Service Award.
“Officer Fenton’s quick action in responding to this incident prevented further serious injury to family members,” MacNamara said.
Per department policy, Fenton has been temporarily reassigned from his patrol activities.
The 50-year-old wife and all three of her children were hospitalized Tuesday. The youngest boy, a sixth-grader at Tomlinson Middle School, was listed in critical condition at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and the mother was listed in stable condition at Bridgeport Hospital on Wednesday, according to the Fairfield Citizen.
The two older children — a 15-year-old freshman at Warde High School, and a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Tomlinson‚ were released from St. Vincent’s Medical Center and were staying with relatives, the Citizen reported.
Fairfield’s Detective Bureau is working with the Connecticut State Police and the State’s Attorney’s Office from the Stamford/Norwalk district in the continuing investigation.
State statute requires that any police shooting resulting in death requires the assignment of a state’s attorney from outside the geographical area to oversee the investigation with the assistance of the State Police Major Crime Squad, as it relates to the shooting.
Neither Fairfield nor State Police have announced a motive for the attack.
Christopher Andrews, 51, was partner at the Manhattan law firm Andrews and Andrews.
His brother, Michael Rourke Andrews, died in the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He worked for Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center. Andrews' mother also died in recent weeks.
The family were longtime renters of the home on Mountain Laurel Road.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.
