Videos show chaotic scene of New Haven police shootout that injured two West Haven officers.

On January 29, 2025, at approximately 5:30 a.m., West Haven and Task Force officers (TFO) went to premises known as 719 Grand Avenue, Apartment 105, New Haven to execute a search and seizure warrant. Apartment 105 is a twostory townhouse style apartment. The officers assembled outside, knocked on the door, and announced their presence.

Upon their initial entry, officers encountered an adult female. Moments later, Aaron Freemen opened fire upon the officers from the first-floor bedroom. One shot struck West Haven Officer Robert Rappa in the calf. Martin Scanlon, a Waterbury Police Officer assigned to the DEA Task Force, pursued Freeman and took cover in the stairwell leading to the second floor. There was an exchange of gunfire between TFO Scanlon and Freeman. The gunfire from the bedroom then stopped.

The police reports further indicate that the officers on scene then waited the arrival of the West Haven Police Department Special Response Team (SRT). The SRT, including West Haven Police Sergeant Joseph Riehl, equipped with safety shields, entered the apartment a second time. As Sergeant Riehl proceeded into the apartment toward Freeman’s bedroom, he was struck in the upper leg by a bullet fired by Freeman through the bedroom wall. Sergeant Riehl returned fire. The suspect was killed in this incident.