Norwalk: Mystery Of Morelli’s Death
As of today, suicide has not been ruled out. Essentially CBS 2 has been handling the story as if it was a suicide. They reported today that the autopsy results would not be known for 6-10 weeks. You can check the video reports, chronologically, at the link below:
link.
The report on the web site speaks for itself:
Mystery Surrounds Death Of Norwalk Cop
Officer Mathew Morelli Shot Friday Morning After Investigating ‘Something Suspicious’Reporting
Sean Hennessey NORWALK, Conn. (CBS) ? A local police officer was shot and killed early Friday morning while investigating what authorities described only as a “suspicious incident” in a parking lot.Police in Norwalk are still processing the scene of a tragedy where a fellow brother died in the line of duty. But exactly how he died remains the unanswered question.
Outside the police station adorned by black and white bunting, the flags are at half staff, while a city mourns the loss of 38-year-old Mathew Morelli, who died near a parking lot Just after midnight Friday morning.
“It’s just sad that he lost his life,” Norwalk resident Marshayla Vereen said. “He was a soul.”
Added resident Tomasina Banks: “My heart goes out to the family and I hope the family can get over it.”
The life of the former Marine and 11-year police veteran came to a tragic end shortly after he told headquarters he was getting out of his squad car to check out something suspicious.
“Then almost immediately after a short transmission, headquarters tried to reach him again with no result,” Lt. Paul Resnick told CBS 2 HD.
Morelli was found dead a minute later by back-up units.
As some officers scoured the area Friday afternoon and evening looking for a possible gunman, others shed tears as Morelli’s squad car was towed away, and a folded flag was driven in honor of the Desert Storm veteran.
“He was a very nice guy and I know people say that but he really was,” Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia said. “He was very popular.”
Police wouldn’t say where Morelli was shot, how many times or what weapons were recovered. Asked whether this was a possible suicide, Resnick said, “I think we haven’t ruled anything out. We are looking at the information as we have it.”
Police also say neighbors in the area have nothing to worry about when it comes to some kind of crazed gunman on the loose. The autopsy is expected to determine the officer’s cause of death.
One reason for all the mystery might be the ownership of the rumoured AK-47, said to be found at the scene. Connecticut banned many semiautomatic assault rifles in 1993, requiring those who owned them prior to the ban to register them with state police.
According to a question answered during one of yesterday’s press conferences, a shotgun was permitted to be carried by patrol officers, but not part of the issued firearms. Naturally this brings up the interesting question about what is the level of enforcement of firearm policy with the NPD. Is it common practice for patrol officers to carry personal semiautomatic assault rifles?
Beyond that, it is odd that the tapes of the radio calls to dispatch have not been released. Or more specifically the second transmission, after Morelli announced he was investigating suspicious activity. Why the secrecy here?
Lastly, the rumours that Morelli’s death was a possible suicide were rampant early Friday morning. Police officials apparently jumped to that conclusion early on. If Morelli was known to be “at risk” why was he on solo patrol, at night?
Whatever facts emerge, there will be some questions that Norwalkers should be paying more attention to.
source: CBS, Mystery Surrounds Death Of Norwalk Cop, Reporting by Sean Hennessey, March 22, 2008
