Second suspect in deadly Milford home invasion arraigned
The crime happened at 871 East Broadway in the Fort Trumbull Beach neighborhood just before 3 a.m. on June 3.
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The second man arrested in a home invasion in Milford that killed a 69-year-old man and seriously injured his wife was arraigned Friday.
Ivan Barias-Florimon, 24, of the Bronx, appeared in Milford Superior Court on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, murder in commission of a felony, home invasion, conspiracy to commit home invasion, attempted murder, first-degree assault of an elderly victim and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault of an elderly victim in what police called a targeted attack on June 3. Barias-Florimon kept his head down, never once looking up, throughout the seven-minute hearing.
The crime happened at 871 East Broadway in the Fort Trumbull Beach neighborhood just before 3 a.m. Police said two intruders entered the beachfront home through a rear sliding door while the couple was asleep, then shot Fred Werner multiple times, and his wife, Sandy Cooper, once in the head. Werner died at the scene while Cooper, 69, was rushed to the hospital in serious condition. She's since been released and continues to recover, police said.
Barias-Florimon was taken into custody in New York City by NYPD and the U.S. Marshals on Tuesday and brought back to Connecticut Thursday night.
News 12 was the only media outlet in the courtroom for his arraignment. During his court appearance, Milford Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Kalthoff said though the warrant is sealed to the public right now, “I would characterize the investigation as urgent but very complete.”
Judge Auden Grogins set bond at $3 million, calling Barias-Florimon a flight risk and a danger to the community. Grogins called the allegations, “as serious as it gets.” She also ordered Barias-Florimon to have no contact with Cooper. His next court date is Aug. 18.
Police previously arrested Stuar Lopez-Reyes, 25, of Bridgeport, on the same charges. On July 31, during a news conference about that arrest, Chief Keith Mello credited the tireless work by detectives and said license plate readers were pivotal in helping police identify the vehicle used in the crime and ultimately the suspects.
Mello said 27 search warrants had been executed so far, and the work isn't done, which is why police won't comment on a motive. Mello also wouldn't discuss the suspect's relationship to the victims beyond affirming what he said soon after the attack—that this wasn't a random act of violence.
Lopez-Reyes was arraigned on July 31 before police made his arrest public. His warrant is currently sealed, and he's being held on a $3 million bond. He’s due back in court on Aug. 11.
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