Executive Summary
- Deadly Standoff: A suspect wearing Nazi insignia exchanged gunfire with police during an eviction in Stamford.
- Hazardous Discovery: Drones located pipe bombs, grenades, and Molotov cocktails scattered inside the home.
- Unidentified Remains: A decomposing body was found on the second floor; the identity remains unknown.
- Dual Investigation: Connecticut State Police are investigating the shooting, while Stamford Police handle the death and explosives.
Authorities in Stamford, Connecticut, discovered a decomposing body and a cache of explosives inside a residence following a violent standoff and shootout on Tuesday, according to law enforcement officials. The confrontation erupted when a state marshal arrived at the home on Oaklawn Avenue to serve an eviction notice to the residents, identified as Jed and Carmen Parkington.
Stamford Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin stated that Jed Parkington, 63, forced his wife to leave the premises before barricading himself inside. Conklin reported that the suspect appeared in full camouflage attire displaying Nazi insignia on the lapel. During the standoff, Parkington allegedly fired upon officers with a high-caliber weapon, which investigators believe was an AK-47, prompting an exchange of gunfire.
The active engagement ceased after law enforcement heard a single gunshot from within the home. Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw noted that the department’s hostage negotiation team had attempted to establish a dialogue with the suspect but was unable to resolve the situation peacefully. To safely assess the interior, officers deployed a drone, which revealed a hazardous scene.
Drone surveillance identified multiple explosive devices scattered throughout the residence, including items resembling pipe bombs, grenades, and Molotov cocktails, according to Conklin. The video feed also located a decomposing human body on the second floor. Police stated that the age and gender of the deceased could not be immediately determined from the footage. Court documents reveal the property had been in foreclosure since 2018, with Jed Parkington claiming in filings that he suffered from terminal brain cancer.
Investigative Outlook
The discovery of unidentified human remains and unstable explosive devices has necessitated a multi-jurisdictional response, complicating the standard post-standoff procedure. The Connecticut State Police have assumed jurisdiction over the officer-involved shooting aspect of the incident, while the Stamford Police Department retains control over the investigation into the explosives and the suspicious death. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is tasked with identifying the decedent and determining the cause of death, a process potentially hindered by the state of decomposition. As forensic teams process the scene, public safety protocols regarding the disposal of the hazardous materials remain a primary operational priority. It is important to note that all individuals involved in criminal investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
