Patrick King Fatally Shoots Girlfriend Felisha Matthews, Two Children, Then Dies by Suicide in Plainville

A quiet Connecticut community was rocked Friday by a tragic murder-suicide in Plainville that left four people dead, including two young children. Authorities released details as the investigation continues.

According to the Plainville Police Department, the incident began when a woman called 911 to report that her brother, Patrick J. King, 27, had admitted to killing his girlfriend and one of his daughters and intended to take his own life.

Emergency personnel quickly responded, securing the area around the Milford Street home. SWAT teams and specialized units from neighboring towns joined the operation, setting up a perimeter and preparing to negotiate with King.

Inside the home, police discovered three victims with apparent gunshot wounds: Felisha Matthews, 31, Mileena Matthews, 12, and Ava R. King, 4. King later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a roughly two-hour standoff. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

 

 

Authorities said King admitted to killing his girlfriend and daughter in a phone call to his sister. Officers attempted negotiations, but King refused to cooperate. Drones and pepper spray were used in efforts to enter the residence before King shot himself.

Mileena Matthews was a student at the Middle School of Plainville. School officials said counseling and support services would be offered to students and staff affected by the tragedy.

Community leaders expressed profound sorrow over the incident. Plainville Council Chair Christopher Wazorko called the loss “deeply painful” for the town, while Michael T. Paulhus described it as “a horrific event” and “a dark day” for residents.

Police confirmed that the family had recently moved into the Milford Street home in mid-January, with no prior police calls on record. The firearm used in the shootings was legally registered to King, who had a valid permit to carry.

Friends described King and Matthews as a seemingly happy family who had recently celebrated their seventh anniversary. Matthews had shared on social media about their life together, calling it “full of love, chaos, growth, and so many second chances.”

The law enforcement response was significant, with multiple police vehicles, fire crews, and aerial support, including drones, deployed to the scene. Nearby streets were closed during the standoff.

Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the killings, and the investigation remains ongoing.