Wolcott Cops Recommend No Charges Be Filed In March Triple Homicide: PD

WOLCOTT, CT — Police are recommending that no charges be filed in a March shooting which left three dead, after concluding that the sole survivor acted in self-defense.

Three people died in the March 27 shooting at 634 Boundline Rd., including David Cote Sr., his estranged wife Michelle Cote, and their son David Cote Jr.

A fourth person at the scene that day, Joseph King, survived, according to police.

Police Chief Edward L. Stephens said Wednesday in an announcement that police have finished a “very thorough” investigation, with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crimes Unit.

According to Stephens, police believe the case will be closed, without any charges filed.

“We are still waiting for confirmation from the State's Attorney’s office, who we have also been working very closely with,” Stephens said, in the announcement.

Police said the investigation showed that David Cote Sr. had argued with his estranged wife Michelle.

She had gone to David Cote Sr.’s residence at 634 Boundline Rd., along with their son David Jr. and his friend Joseph King, to assist David Sr. in moving out of the home, due to it being sold, police said.

While David Jr. and Joseph King were in the garage moving items, they heard yelling and screaming coming from a second-floor bedroom where David Sr. and Michelle were arguing, according to Stephens.

“When they arrived in the room, they found that David Sr. had just shot Michelle in the leg, causing her to fall,” the announcement says. “He then shot her a second time. David Jr. who had attempted to stop his father from further harming his mother, was shot once in the chest.”

Police concluded that David Sr. then pointed his gun at Joseph King.

“King, who just witnessed both Michelle and David Jr. being murdered by David Sr. and fearing that he was about to be a third murder victim, fired several shots at David Sr. to protect himself,” police said, in the announcement.

David Sr. was struck several times. Police concluded that King acted while in fear for his own life. King has a valid pistol permit, and he took his legally registered firearm out after hearing the initial gunshot, police said.

King called 911 to summon authorities to the scene, according to police.

Read more:
3 Killed In Wolcott Domestic Shooting; IDs Released