Police say the East Broadway attack was targeted, not random.
MILFORD, Conn. — A 69-year-old man was killed and a 69-year-old woman was wounded early Wednesday when two men entered an East Broadway home and opened fire, Milford police said.
Police identified the man who died as Frederick Werner and the injured woman as Sandra Cooper. Both lived at the home. Cooper was taken to a hospital after being shot once in the head. Werner was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot multiple times.
Officers were called to 871 East Broadway at 2:56 a.m. after Cooper reported that two men had entered the house while she and Werner were sleeping. Police said the men fled before officers arrived. The home remained an active crime scene as detectives gathered evidence and reviewed what happened inside the waterfront neighborhood near Silver Sands State Park.
An autopsy found that Werner died from gunshot wounds and ruled the death a homicide. Police said the shooting was not being treated as domestic violence. Milford Police Chief Keith Mello said investigators had “strong indications” the attack was targeted and not a random act of violence.
Police increased patrols in the area after the shooting. Mello said the extra patrols were meant “to reassure our residents” and that police had no information showing an ongoing threat to the public. Detectives have not released the names of the two men they say entered the home.
Neighbors described East Broadway as a quiet beachside stretch where serious violence is rare. “Horrible. You would never expect that from the beach area down here at all,” Milford resident Barbara Arnal said. Another neighbor, Jeffrey Blake, said his family had owned a home nearby for more than 60 years.
The investigation remains active. Milford police said detectives are continuing to follow leads, review evidence and seek information about the two men who fled before officers arrived.
Author note: Last updated June 6, 2026.