Fairfield Police Telling Friends Christopher Andrews was off his Meds Day of Killing

Neighbors and friends of a Fairfield, Conn. family who became victims to a fatal police shooting as a result of a domestic violence call say they are baffled why 51-year old Christopher Andrews would harm his family. But loose-lipped cops in Fairfield, Conn. are telling their friends attorney Christopher J Andrews had suddenly gone off his medication as one of the possible reasons for his erratic behavior Tuesday morning. Andrews,who did not have a gun, was shot dead by a 26-year veteran cop Sean Fenton. The CTPost backs up this theory and reported last night, according to unnamed sources, Mr. Andrews was depressed after the recent death of his mother.

According to two Fairfield residents I interviewed who spoke with a Fairfield cop, as Andrews was approaching Officer Fenton with a bloody knife he was crying, “I don’t why I am doing this”. The CTPost reported last night Andrews was wordless as he approached the officer according to their unnamed police sources. But these two residents, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that’s not what they were told by a Fairfield police officer.

The Fairfield attorney has been licensed to practice law in New York State since 1992 and earned his law degree from St. Johns University in 1990. It’s unclear what kind of law he practiced as a sole practitioner out of his small office on 420 Lexington Ave suite 300.

The New York Post found an outstanding tax lien of $16,737 against Christopher Andrews but did not say what state the lien was filed in. A search in Conn. UCC online database, that tracks liens, showed no liens filed against Christopher or Kathleen Andrews. The Andrews’ rented their 2,100 sq ft home at 22 Mount Laurel Road in Fairfield so the home couldn’t be used as collateral for liens.

Early Tuesday morning, Christopher’s wife and children were found with stab wounds and blunt force trauma when local cops arrived. Some press reports say the oldest son, age 15, said his dad came at him with a bat while he was in bed and he pulled it from his hands. His youngest son, age 12, and his wife Kathleen were listed in critical condition. The eldest son was seen carrying a bat on the front lawn when officers arrived. The son stopped approaching and put down the bat upon police command but his dad wouldn’t listen to Officer Fenton’s repeated request to thrown down the knife and stop approaching law enforcement. As a result Officer Fenton shot him dead.

The local and state police are not answering where Christopher was shot on his body or why the local cop didn’t shoot with the intent for a flesh wound to detain him.

Sean Fenton’s actions on the scene are being investigated by the state police and the assistant states attorneys office out of Stamford. His commanding officers have taken him off patrol duty but it’s unclear what police duties he is currently allowed to perform. Officer Fenton’s experience with active shooting scenes is also unknown.

Chief Gary MacNamara did not return phone calls and emails for comment on what Andrews allegedly told officer Fenton about not being mentally aware of his own actions right before he was shot. Investigators are also looking into how the medication Andrews was taking could have affected his cognitive and emotional state.

Calls to Christopher’s law office, Andrews & Andrews go to voice mail today. A request for comment was not returned at press time.

It’s unclear still what legal actions the Andrews family might take against the Fairfield police department for the death of Christopher.

Attorney Steve Seegar who has sued Conn. law enforcement for civil rights violations and wrongful death told this reporter when asked if the Andrews family has a case against the FPD, “It’s possible. I would have an out of state former law enforcement investigator on the case immediately and start preserving evidence. Why was a Taser not used and why isn’t FPD explaining this proactively in their press statements?”

Fairfield is an upper middle class town and not known for violence or ethic problems with its police force. Other Fairfield County towns, like Norwalk, have had to settle multiple lawsuits in last few years for wrongful police violence against the citizens they are sworn to protect.

The town of Fairfield and a domestic violence non-profit had tried to plan a town vigil for the surviving Andrews family members for Sunday but after a family lawyer Michael Meehan made press statements that the family wanted no part of the event it was canceled. Friends of the Andrews told reporters the family doesn’t want the tragedy labeled domestic violence because if was so out of character of Christopher Andrews, which leaves a lot of unanswered questions about truly sparked the violent behavior and if the prescription medication Andrews was taking played a role.