87-year-old woman fatally shot in Winsted, police say it may have been accidental

The house on Platt Hill Road where a shooting victim died from a single gunshot wound Thursday night in Winsted. The house on Platt Hill Road where a shooting victim died from a single gunshot wound Thursday night in Winsted. Photo: Jenny Golfin — The Register Citizen Photo: Jenny Golfin — The Register Citizen Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close 87-year-old woman fatally shot in Winsted, police say it may have been accidental 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

WINSTED >> Winchester and state police are investigating the shooting death of an 87-year-old woman at 424 Platt Hill Road that occurred Thursday night.

The victim died from a single gunshot wound, according to a press release from Winchester police. The Register Citizen is withholding the victim’s name until the manner of death is disclosed.

The state medical examiner’s office confirmed that the victim’s cause of death was gunshot wound to the abdomen. The manner of death was listed as pending by the medical examiner’s office as of Friday afternoon.

A friend remembered the victim fondly.

“I remember playing with her [kids] when I was younger. She’s lived in town as long as I can remember,” said the victim’s friend.

A relative of the victim said she was shocked when she heard the news.

“I used to drive her to her doctor’s appointments. She was like my mother,” the relative said. “I just saw her yesterday at the grocery store.”

Police say that the shooting was not a random incident and that it may have been accidental.

The state police Western District Major Crime Squad was at the scene assisting local police in the investigation.

Check back throughout the day for updates on this breaking story.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jenny Golfin can be reached at 860-489-3121, ext. 357.