MILFORD — Two men have been arrested in connection with a June home invasion that left a 69-year-old man dead and his partner seriously injured, according to court records and local law enforcement reports.
Allegations and arrests
Police responded to the 800 block of East Broadway on June 3 for a report of a shooting. Officers found Frederick Werner, 69, inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds; he later died, authorities said. A female resident was also shot in the head and survived; she remains hospitalized, according to unsealed court documents reviewed by local media.
Two suspects named in the arrest warrant are Ivan Barias-Florimon, 24, and Stuar Lopez-Reyes, 25. Federal authorities confirmed to news outlets that both men are Dominican nationals. U.S. Marshals captured the second suspect after a roughly two-month manhunt, court papers say.
Possible motive under investigation
Unsealed charging documents suggest investigators are exploring whether revenge played a role in the attack. The surviving woman told police she had recently terminated an employee from her real estate business and believed the firing may have been connected to the incident, according to the warrant.
"I'm going to make my life hell," a fired employee allegedly texted, and Barias-Florimon replied, "I'll make her life hell."
The warrant references text messages between the fired employee and one of the suspects. It is not clear from the documents what the relationship between the fired worker and the accused suspects might have been beyond the exchanges described in the affidavit.
Investigative steps and charges
Local and federal agencies have been involved in the investigation. The U.S. Marshals Service took part in locating and arresting the second suspect after a multiweek search, officials said. Authorities have not publicly disclosed every charge filed against the defendants; court records are continuing to be unsealed.
Police have not released a timeline for upcoming court appearances or said whether any additional suspects remain under investigation. Officials also have not provided an updated condition for the surviving victim beyond the initial report that she was recovering from a gunshot wound to the head.
Community impact
The shooting took place in a residential stretch of Milford, a coastal city where violent crime of this scale is uncommon. Neighbors in the East Broadway area reported shock when news of the crime became public and described the neighborhood as typically quiet.
Local officials did not immediately make statements to the press beyond confirming arrests and the ongoing nature of the investigation. Community leaders and police often urge residents to come forward with any information that might aid prosecutions in cases of targeted violence.
- Date of incident: June 3
- Location: 800 block, East Broadway, Milford
- Fatality: Frederick Werner, 69
- Injured: Female partner, shot in the head, surviving
- Arrested suspects: Ivan Barias-Florimon, 24; Stuar Lopez-Reyes, 25
| Person | Age | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Frederick Werner | 69 | Deceased |
| Female partner | Not listed | Surviving, hospitalized |
| Ivan Barias-Florimon | 24 | Arrested |
| Stuar Lopez-Reyes | 25 | Arrested |
What’s next
Prosecutors will review the arrest affidavits and other evidence to determine charges and next steps. Court dockets should reflect any formal indictments, arraignments or detention hearings as those filings are made public. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Milford police or the U.S. Marshals tip line, authorities said.
The investigation remains active and officials ask the public to avoid sharing unverified speculation about motive or possible accomplices as the case proceeds through the legal system.
Local coverage will continue as new court filings, official statements and updates on the victims’ conditions become available.
