Connecticut Woman Shoots Man Watching ‘Toy Story’ With 12-Year-Old, Then Returns to Bed, Police Say
KILLINGLY, CONNECTICUT — A 65-year-old woman is behind bars after allegedly walking into an entertainment room and fatally shooting a man in the chest while he watched Toy Story with a 12-year-old child, then calmly going back to bed, authorities said.
According to the Connecticut State Police, Michelle Yeagher faces charges of murder, carrying a firearm while under the influence, reckless endangerment, and risk of injury to a child following the late-night shooting at a home on Pratt Road in Killingly’s Dayville neighborhood.
The victim, 39-year-old Andrew Michael Olson, was shot once in the chest and later died at Day Kimball Hospital, investigators confirmed.
Victim Was Watching ‘Toy Story’ With a Child
Police said the incident unfolded just before 9:30 p.m. on Monday, when Yeagher allegedly entered the entertainment room where Olson and a 12-year-old were watching the Pixar movie. Without warning, she reportedly opened fire, striking Olson in the chest as the child watched in horror.
Troopers arrived minutes later to find Olson gravely wounded while the terrified child recounted what happened. The boy told police Yeagher simply walked into the room, fired, and then left without saying a word.
Suspect Found Intoxicated in Bed
Authorities said Yeagher was later found in bed, appearing intoxicated, and initially claimed she didn’t know where the gun was. When questioned by investigators, she allegedly admitted,
“He tried to kill me. I shot him. He came after me, I shot him.”
Her account conflicted with the child’s version, which did not include any confrontation. Police said Yeagher changed her story multiple times, first claiming Olson attacked her in the bedroom, then saying she was drunk and didn’t remember the shooting.
During one interview, she reportedly said she was “upset from dealing with issues throughout the day” and had been drinking heavily before the incident.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Yeagher was taken into custody around 11:30 p.m., escorted out of the home on a stretcher after refusing to cooperate with troopers. The firearm believed to be used in the shooting was later recovered at the residence.
She is currently being held at the Connecticut State Department of Correction on a $1 million bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for December 11.
Community in Shock
The quiet Dayville neighborhood is still grappling with the tragedy. Neighbors told reporters from WFSB that they were stunned by the news, describing Yeagher as a long-time resident who “mostly kept to herself.”
“It’s just devastating — especially knowing a kid was there when it happened,” one neighbor said.
Authorities have not disclosed the relationship between Yeagher and Olson or why he and the child were visiting the home that evening.
How could such a violent act unfold in front of a child — and what more can communities do to prevent tragedies linked to alcohol and firearms? Share your thoughts and follow continuing coverage at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.