A husband visiting his 81-year-old wife in a nursing home shot her and then himself, police say

CROMWELL, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) – Police are investigating after a man allegedly fatally shot his 81-year-old wife and then took his own life at a Connecticut nursing home.

Police responded just before 11 a.m. Friday to Apple Rehab, a long-term care facility in Cromwell. The husband of an 81-year-old resident came to visit, went into her room, shot her and then shot himself, company officials said. There was no one else in the room at the time of the incident.

Police identified the victim as 81-year-old Barbara Brandt and the suspect as her husband, 82-year-old Dennis Brandt, WFSB reports.

Apple Rehab officials say there have been no previous threats and a motive is unclear. According to the company, Barbara Brandt had been at the facility for three years and her husband had conducted the visits without any problems.

Facility staff are being praised for how quickly they called 911, went into lockdown mode and protected other residents. No one was injured in the incident.

Rich Bolbrock, a sales representative, had just entered the nursing home when he heard gunshots.

“I went into the lobby, heard a lady screaming, heard about five shots fired…Everyone in the lobby ended up on the deck,” he said.

He ran outside.

Sherda Baker’s mother was inside working at the time of the incident.

“Very scary and nerve-wracking because she called me crying. She said she saw a few ladies running. Then she heard the gunshot and ran,” Baker said. “She said she locked herself in the bathroom with another employee.”

The shooting is described as a sad and tragic event that should never have happened.

“It’s just too much,” Baker said. “No one should have to experience this.”

When asked about safety protocol, Apple Rehab officials said there is a check-in point at the front desk where people are told what they can and cannot bring into the facility. According to Michael Landi, the company’s vice president of operations, Dennis Brandt was investigated as usual.

“This was a completely unfortunate tragedy,” Landi said. “She was inducted in 2021, so people knew her well. Because it was a small facility, the staff’s grief was obviously immediately felt.”

Landi says the facility is reviewing its safety protocols. Counselors are now helping staff and residents grieve.

Apple Rehab issued a statement Friday afternoon:

It is with great sadness that I must inform you that the husband of one of our residents at Apple Rehab Cromwell took his wife’s life and then his own life this morning.

The 81-year-old resident had been with us for three years and was in her room at the time of the tragedy. She had no roommate and there were no witnesses. Our staff responded immediately by calling 911. No other residents or staff were injured or involved.

There have been no known prior threats and the motive is unknown to us at this time.

Our focus will continue to be on our staff and residents and we will provide any resources and counseling services they may need to get through this tragic event, many of which are already on site.

We will provide you with further details as we receive them. However, at this time we will be working closely with the Cromwell Police Department and other state agencies.

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