STAMFORD, Connecticut — Authorities in Stamford are continuing to investigate a tragic and complex situation that unfolded at a home on Oaklawn Avenue earlier this week. What began as a routine attempt to serve a court-ordered eviction turned into a lengthy standoff, during which officers encountered unexpected resistance from the resident inside. By the time the incident ended, two people had been found deceased inside the residence under circumstances that have deeply unsettled the community.
Police were dispatched to the home on Tuesday morning as part of a scheduled eviction process. They arrived with personnel and equipment needed to safely carry out the court directive. However, as officers approached the house, they were met with gunfire coming from inside. This surprise encounter quickly escalated the situation, causing officers to pull back and call for additional support.
According to officials, there were several exchanges of gunfire between the resident and responding officers throughout the standoff. In hopes of resolving the crisis peacefully, trained negotiators were brought in to communicate with the man inside the home. Their goal was to encourage him to exit voluntarily and prevent further harm. Despite repeated attempts, negotiators were unable to establish a successful dialogue that would lead to a safe surrender.
During the long hours of tension, officers monitoring the scene suddenly heard a single gunshot from inside the residence. Because of the danger involved, police brought in specialized equipment, including a drone, to assess the situation without putting officers at additional risk. Using the drone’s camera, law enforcement determined that the homeowner, identified as Jed Parkington, appeared to have died from a self-inflicted wound.
As officers carefully continued their search of the home, they discovered a second body in an advanced state of decomposition. Investigators have not yet released the identity of this individual, noting that further examination and confirmation will be required. The presence of this second deceased person added another layer of complexity to the case, prompting additional investigative procedures.
During the detailed search of the residence, officials also located several hazardous materials that required specialized handling. Authorities did not release extensive technical descriptions but confirmed that the items were dangerous and needed to be secured by trained professionals. Their discovery led to the presence of additional emergency response teams to ensure the safety of the neighborhood and those working at the scene.
Despite the severity of the events and ongoing risk during the standoff, no Stamford police officers were physically injured. The incident has drawn attention to the challenges officers face during eviction-related responses, especially when residents are experiencing distress, hardship, or other personal struggles.
As the community processes the incident, more information has surfaced regarding the circumstances that led to the eviction order. A letter reportedly written by the suspect’s wife to the court overseeing the case shed light on the personal difficulties the couple had been facing. In the letter, she explained that she was an older adult managing health issues and that the couple had been struggling financially for years. She described their hardships following her husband’s illness and job loss around 2014, noting how these events contributed to their inability to maintain their home. Her words reflected fear, uncertainty, and the emotional toll of losing a place she considered her only refuge.
The investigation into the two deaths, the events leading up to the standoff, and the hazardous materials found at the residence remains ongoing. Authorities are working carefully to piece together a complete understanding of what occurred. For now, the neighborhood and broader community are left with a profound sense of sadness following an incident that began as a routine court matter but ended in loss and tragedy.
