PLAINVILLE, Conn. — A quiet neighborhood on Milford Street was shaken to its core Friday night after a devastating chain of events left four people dead, including a young child and a middle school student. What began as a frantic 911 call quickly turned into a prolonged police response that ended in heartbreak.
Authorities say the call came from a woman who told dispatchers her brother, 27-year-old Patrick J. King, had confessed to shooting his girlfriend and two children and was planning to take his own life. Officers rushed to the home, sealing off the area as sirens echoed through the usually calm streets.
Police moved swiftly, bringing in specialized units, including SWAT teams, to handle the escalating situation. Negotiators tried to reach King, hoping to bring a peaceful end. But despite repeated attempts, there was no breakthrough.
For nearly two hours, tension hung heavy in the air. Officers eventually deployed pepper gas into the home in a last effort to force movement and gain control of the situation. Moments later, a gunshot rang out from inside.
King had shot himself. Officers entered immediately, pulling him from the home and rushing him to a nearby hospital. He later died from his injuries.
Inside, the scene was even more devastating. Police found three victims, all suffering from gunshot wounds. They were identified as 31-year-old Felisha Matthews, 12-year-old Mileena Matthews, and 4-year-old Ava R. King. The loss of the two children has hit especially hard across the community.
Mileena Matthews was a student at the Middle School of Plainville, where staff and students are now grappling with the sudden loss. School officials say counseling services are being made available to help students process the tragedy.
Local leaders described the night as one the town will never forget. They spoke about the deep pain felt across the close-knit community, where incidents like this are rare and deeply unsettling.
Investigators revealed the family had only moved into the Milford Street home in mid-January, and there had been no previous police calls tied to the address. The firearm used was legally owned by King, who held a valid permit.
Dozens of officers from surrounding towns, along with fire crews and specialized units, flooded the area during the response. Roads were shut down, and a police drone was used to assist from above. Neighbors watched in disbelief as emergency vehicles lined the street.
For now, one question remains unanswered—why. Authorities say the motive behind the killings is still unknown, and the investigation is ongoing as the town mourns a loss that feels both sudden and deeply personal
