Man Accidentally Shoots Upstairs Neighbor In Groton; Life-Threatening Injuries Reported

GROTON, CT — A man accidentally fired a rifle and struck a woman in the apartment above his in Groton, according to police.

Town of Groton police responded to calls Sunday at 10:52 p.m. reporting a gunshot at Phoenix Park Apartments at 355 Long Hill Road.

Caleb Bean, 30, had accidentally fired his gun while attempting to cycle the action on his rifle, police said.

Bean reported to 911 dispatchers that the bullet from his rifle went through the ceiling of his apartment and struck a female victim in the apartment above his.

Two neighbors and the victim's boyfriend attempted to treat the victim's wounds with a makeshift tourniquet while talking with her to keep her awake and focused. Police arrived and applied two tourniquets to stem "the significant amount of bleeding from a gunshot wound to the victim’s right leg."

The victim was then taken by ambulance to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for emergency surgery due to her life-threatening injuries, police said. The victim is currently in the hospital's intensive care unit.

Police seized an AR-1-style rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun as evidence in the case.

Read more:

• Legendary CT Meteorologist Announces He Is In Hospice Care
• Longtime Patch Editor, High School Sports Icon Dies At 59, Mourned By Many
• Pedestrian Killed After Being Struck By Vehicle On Highway, ID Released: Police

Bean was arrested and charged with first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, unlawful discharge of a firearm, two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, and second-degree breach of peace.

He was held on $250,000 cash or surety bond. He was scheduled to be arraigned in New London Superior Court on Monday.

Anyone with information on the case can call police at (860) 441-6712.