Ridgefield Man Shot by Police Founded Danbury's Military Museum

(UPDATE)
John Valluzzo, who founded the Southern New England Military Museum in 1995, was shot and killed by Ridgefield Police Friday evening.

Connecticut State Police, who are investigating the incident at the request of the Ridgefield Police and the state's Attorney's Office, said Ridgefield Police were called to 423 Ridgebury Road for a domestic disturbance with shots fired.

State Police described the shooting this way. Ridgefield Police officers responded to the scene of a possible domestic incident at a home at about 5 p.m. Friday at 423 Ridgebury Road in Ridgefield, where they confronted a man in the yard of the home. Police said the man was armed with a handgun.   Police told the man to disarm and put down his weapon. Police said the man refused to comply to the officer’s order. He raised the weapon toward the officer, which caused the Ridgefield officer to fire his service weapon striking the man.

The Military Museum of Southern New England issued this statement about his death.
"Sorrow fills our hearts at this sad moment. A sorrow that is deep and personal for all of us. The news of the untimely death of John Valluzzo comes as a great shock to all who knew him. His departure was sudden, unexpected and particularly distressing. The Executive Directors of the Military Museum of Southern New England believe it is befitting on this Memorial Day weekend to honor his memory by remaining open to the public during this difficult time. Our deepest sympathies go out to the Valluzzo family. Until we have all had a chance to comprehend fully the impact of this senseless tragedy we will have no further comment to make on the behalf of the museum." 

Local emergency workers provided EMS service at the shooting scene. Valluzzo was taken in critical condition to Danbury Hospital where shortly after admission he died.   Ridgefield Police secured the crime scene, and at the request of the Ridgefield Chief of Police and the State’s Attorney’s Office, the incident is being investigated by the Western District Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Squad. State police will document and process the scene, as well as talk to witnesses.

The identity of the officer is still being withheld.

The office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct a post mortem examination to determine the manner and cause of death.   The state Police investigation is continuing.   This information was provided by the Connecticut State Police.

(THE ORIGINAL STORY STARTS HERE.) Ridgefield police were at the scene of a possible shooting on Ridgebury Road Friday afternoon. 

According to early reports, shots were fired by officers in the area of 423 Ridgebury Road and at least one person may have been struck. 

Police were stationed at the gated entrance to the  Ridgebury Road home Friday evening, conspicuous in the quiet neighborhood of large mansions in northern Ridgefield. 

Officers at the scene confirmed that shots were fired and that no police were injured. The condition of a possible civilian shooting victim is unknown at this time. 

Ridgefield police confirmed that there is an active investigation going on at the scene but would not confirm details at this time. Ridgefield Patch will provide updates as they become available.