Connecticut official charged with murdering tenant in fatal shooting
NORWALK, Connecticut (WABC) -- A public official in Connecticut is charged with murder after her tenant was found fatally shot inside his residence Thursday.
Police were called to a report of a disturbance at a Norwalk home owned by 61-year-old Ellen Wink, who is the city's deputy Republican registrar of voters and served as city clerk from 2009 to 2011.
Responding officers found 54-year-old Kurt Lametta, who lived in the home, with multiple gunshot wounds.
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He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wink, who was at the home at the time, was taken into custody and later charged with murder.
She is being held on $1 million, police said.
Lametta rented a room at the house, and police said Wink herself was the one who called 911 after the shooting.
The two had been a long running dispute over non-payment of rent, police said, and in September, Wink was arrested for illegally locking Lametta out of the house. She also allegedly disposed of his belongings in the city dump.
According to court documents, Wink admitted shooting Lametta, telling responding officers, "I know I'm arrested" and adding, "He's been my tenant and (expletive) driving me nuts."
But in her 911 call, Wink claimed Lametta came after her "because she was cleaning up."
"I cannot comment on this situation, but it is always a tragedy when a life is lost," Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling said. "This case will now go through the legal process. I applaud the Norwalk PD for their quick work in this case."
Wink's lawyer says multiple options will be explored, including self defense.
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The investigation remains ongoing, but police believe it to be an isolated incident with no danger to the public.
Anyone with additional information is urged to call the Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111.
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