'Real freak case': Peaceful New Haven community in shock as man shoots wife before killing himself

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT: The married couple found shot to death on Thursday, December 14, on Russell Street, died by murder-suicide, said the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The couple was identified by New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson on Friday as 52-year-old Jennifer Green and her 62-year-old husband, Stanley Green. Jennifer Green was shot in the torso during a homicide, which is how she died, according to the medical examiner's office.

Stanley Green died from self-inflicted headshot

The OCME reports that Stanley Green died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. According to Jacobson, "We believe it's an isolated incident and the public is not at risk." Detectives are still looking into the specifics of the shootings, he said.

As of Thursday, Jennifer Green's death was the 23rd homicide of the year in the city. The office of Mayor Justin Elicker released statistics showing that there were 14 homicides in the city during the same period last year.

According to the data, Stanley Green's death was the seventh self-inflicted gunshot death in 2023; thirteen similar incidents happened in 2022.

According to New Haven Police Sgt. Cherelle D. Carr, officers were called to a residence in the 700 block of Russell Street at approximately 8.15 am on Thursday regarding a report of two unresponsive individuals who appeared to have been shot.

The two victims, who were declared dead at the scene, received medical treatment from fire and emergency medical personnel, according to Carr.

Major Crimes Unit, Special Victim Unit, and Bureau of Identification detectives from the department arrived at the scene to collect evidence, speak with witnesses, and look for surveillance footage, according to Carr.

When police arrived, a household member was present and conversed with detectives, according to Carr. During the course of the investigation, police also found ballistic evidence and a gun.

What did Russell Street residents say?

Residents of Russell Street on Friday morning expressed shock at learning that something so tragic and horrific had occurred in their ordinarily quiet neighborhood.

  “Usually, here it’s pretty quiet,” remarked 72-year-old Cathy Withington. “I’ve been here 23 years and I haven’t had any problems.”

“That’s really the first time I’ve seen or heard of anything (criminal), at least in this immediate area,” remarked a second resident who has lived on Russell Street since 2006 but requested to remain anonymous. “That was a real freak case.”

Withington, who lives next door to the Greens, reported that in the morning while she was taking out the recycling, she saw a significant police presence.

She said, “I saw them carry a body bag out. It seemed like the whole police force was here.”

Despite not knowing the couple well, Withington and the other neighbor characterized them as quiet, courteous neighbors who kept to themselves.

The anonymous neighbor remarked, “They were always super-nice to everybody in the area. Nothing that would raise an eyebrow or make you question anything that was going on in their home life.”