On Wednesday night, Rasille was online with Tyler Giuliano just hours before the 15-year old was shot to death by his father.
"He was perfectly fine," Rasil said. "He's a really nice guy. Just snapped, I guess."
Around 1:00 a.m. Jeffrey Giuliano went over to his sister's house next door armed with a gun after she called and told him someone was breaking in. The intruder was dressed in black and wearing a ski mask. Giuliano told police he opened fire when the suspect lunged at him with a knife, only to be told later the person he shot was his adopted son. Why the teen would do this remains a mystery.
"It's something out of a Hollywood script," said John Hodge, the first selectman, or top elected official, in the town of about 14,000 people. He said he couldn't recall another killing in his eight years on the job.
Jeffrey Giuliano is a beloved fifth grade teacher known as Mr. G. Five years ago Tyler was one of his students and noticed the boy coming to school hungry and dirty. Richard Smith is a state representative and a family friend who says Giuliano took Tyler and his older sister in because he has a heart of gold.
Police said the youngster's intentions were unclear and they were investigating whether he was actually trying to burglarize the house or if it was some type of prank gone wrong.
"All in all it's a tragedy," said State Police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said.
No immediate charges were brought against Giuliano. Police said they were investigating whether the father's handgun was registered.
Alicia Roy, superintendent of schools in New Fairfield, said the elder Giuliano grew up in the town, holds summer music and zoology camps for his students and plays in a rock band that raises a lot of money for charity.
"''He wanted to teach in the community he grew up," she said. "He connects with the students. He's a caring person. Very interactive class."
Tyler Giuliano was a student at New Fairfield High School. He was described as an easy going teenager who enjoyed spending time with his family and flying gliders and small planes out of the Danbury airport. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol.
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