Executive Summary
- Jeffrey Vigil was arrested in Norwalk, CT, following a police standoff that ended early Sunday.
- The suspect allegedly violated a protective order and changed the locks on the victim’s home.
- Police deployed tactical units due to a prior incident on Dec. 10 involving the alleged shooting of a dog.
- A search of the residence following the arrest reportedly yielded a large quantity of ammunition.
A Connecticut man accused of shooting a dog earlier this week was taken into custody early Sunday morning following a standoff with law enforcement at a Norwalk residence, authorities confirmed. Jeffrey Vigil, who was already facing charges related to a domestic incident on December 10, was arrested after allegedly violating a protective order and refusing to exit his home.
Norwalk Police Department officers responded to a residence on Old Saugatuck Road shortly before 3:30 p.m. on Saturday regarding a reported domestic dispute. According to the police report, the alleged victim informed officers that Vigil had violated an active no-contact protective order by changing the locks to the home and instructing the victim not to return or contact law enforcement.
Police officials stated that officers attempted to make contact with Vigil, but he refused to exit the residence or communicate. Citing the December 10 incident wherein Vigil allegedly discharged a firearm inside the home, and the belief that “multiple firearms remained unaccounted for,” command staff requested the assistance of the Norwalk Police Emergency Services Unit and Crisis Negotiators.
While negotiators attempted to encourage a peaceful surrender, patrol officers secured an arrest warrant for Vigil and a search warrant for the property. According to a police statement, Vigil “repeatedly refused to surrender, yelled at officers, and remained inside the home.” Consequently, members of the Emergency Services Unit entered the residence.
Vigil was located on the second floor of the home and taken into custody at approximately 12:05 a.m. without further incident. Following the arrest, investigators executed a search warrant and allegedly discovered a large quantity of ammunition within the residence.
Vigil now faces new charges, including two counts of violation of a standing criminal protective order and criminal lock-out. These are in addition to charges filed last week, which include criminal possession of a firearm, criminal violation of a restraining order, and disorderly conduct. The previous charges stem from an incident where a large brown pit bull was treated for a gunshot wound to the shoulder; the animal was reported to be in stable condition at a veterinary referral center.
Procedural Safety & Legal Context
The deployment of crisis negotiators and tactical units highlights the escalated risk assessment protocols utilized by law enforcement when domestic disputes involve potential firearms and prior allegations of violence. The subsequent recovery of ammunition inside the residence may serve as critical evidence regarding the enforcement of firearm surrender mandates often attached to protective orders. It is important to note that all individuals, including Mr. Vigil, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
