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Danbury Museum Expresses Shock At Shooting Death Of Ridgefield Founder

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. -- Officials at the Danbury museum founded by the Ridgefield man who was shot and killed by police Friday expressed shock and sorrow at his death.

 "The news of the untimely death of John Valluzzo comes as a great shock to all who knew him," says a statement on the website of the Military Museum of Southern New England. "His departure was sudden, unexpected and particularly distressing."

Valluzzo, 75, was shot to death on Friday by a Ridgefield officer as police responded to a report of a domestic dispute at his mansion at 423 Ridgebury Road near the New York border, state police said. 

When officers arrived, they found Valluzzo with a handgun in the yard of the rural home, state police said. Officers ordered him to put down his weapon, state police said. Valluzzo refused, raised the gun toward the officers and was shot by a Ridgefield officer, state police said.

Valluzzo was declared dead later at Danbury Hospital, state police said. An autopsy was to be performed Tuesday by the state medical examiner.

Here is the complete statement from the Military Museum of Southern New England in Danbury as published on its Facebook page and website:

"Sorrow fills our hearts at this sad moment. A sorrow that is deep and personal for all of us. The news of the untimely death of John Valluzzo comes as a great shock to all who knew him. His departure was sudden, unexpected and particularly distressing. The Executive Directors of the Military Museum of Southern New England believe it is befitting on this Memorial Day weekend to honor John’s memory by remaining open to the public during this difficult time.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the Valluzzo family.

"Until we have all had a chance to comprehend fully the impact of this senseless tragedy we will have no further comment to make on the behalf of the museum."

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