Domestic Call Turns Violent as Suspect Exchanges Gun Fire

Just 100 yards away from where St. Paul School children frolic on their playground, and steps away from St. Paul's Church, a domestic disturbance police call turned violent Thursday night.

The call came from 18 Peck St. where two male family members were having an issue. When police arrived one of the males had already left the premises. Officers then cleared the first floor of the house to make sure no one else was in the home. When the officers turned a corner, the male still in the house opened fire with several rounds from a gun. None of the officers were hit. The officers returned fire and hit the man in the legs.

He was taken to Hartford Hospital by Hunter's Ambulance and was in critical condition at midnight.

The initial call came from one of the men in the house.

The house at 18 Peck St. is home to a real estate company, TP&TG Realty, according to public records. The shooter has been identified as 45-year-old Jeffrey Yeaw.

At midnight, the Berlin Police Department was waiting for the State Police to arrive.

"Any time an officer is involved in a shooting, the protocol is that the State Police come in and take over the investigation," Deputy Chief John Klett said. "We are just waiting for them now."

There were eight marked Berlin Police cars on Peck Street and at least two unmarked police cars. BPD blocked Peck Street at Farmington Ave and at Alling Street. Crime scene tape bordered the entire St. Paul's parking lot and ringed the house at 18 Peck Street.

Sgt. Mark Soneson, a veteran of the BPD, was the officer who returned fire and has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is carried out.