Police Investigate Assault at New London Assisted Living Facility

NEW LONDON — City and state police are continuing their investigation of a man who was found unresponsive and with serious facial injuries at an assisted living facility on Monday. 

At around 10 p.m. on Monday, New London police said they responded to an apartment at Briarwood Manor, located at 179 Colman St., and found an “unconscious and unresponsive” man who sustained serious facial injuries, according to a news release. 

The man, who has not been identified, was later transported to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. 

Police said the assault does not appear to be a random act. 

According to New London Police Chief Brian Wright, the man who was assaulted is not believed to be a resident of Briarwood Manor.

New London police are currently working with State Police’s Eastern District Major Crime Squad and the New London State’s Attorney’s Office on the criminal investigation into the incident.  

Asked why the Eastern District Major Crime Squad was helping local authorities investigate the assault, Wright told CT Examiner in a statement that such units “are available to assist” local departments, but did not further elaborate. 

On Tuesday, the squad’s crime processing van was parked in front of Briarwood Manor. Throughout the day, officers in protective suits were seen carrying large bags and several boxes, which they later loaded into the van. Wright said these protective suits were standard protocol for crime scenes. 

One entrance of Briarwood Manor was blocked off with crime scene tape throughout most of Tuesday. Residents and workers at the facility were seen walking in and out of the building through a different entrance. 

Those who live in the area told CT Examiner that there had been a large police presence around the facility since Monday night, but that they had not noticed the crime scene van or the tape until late Tuesday morning. 

Bobby Blanco, a New London resident, said he was worried about his family who lives at Briarwood Manor and his uncle who works there. He said police had not released any details about the incident prior to Tuesday afternoon. 

Police left Briarwood Manor around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. 
“As of now, there are no further updates to share beyond what has already been released,” Wright said, adding that the department would release additional information when it is “available and appropriate to do so.”