State Police Tactical Team Helps Groton Police at Super 8 Motel

# Father-Son Bank Robbery in Groton Ends in Tragedy at Local Motel

A bank robbery in Groton, Connecticut took a tragic turn Thursday. A father and son duo held up the Chelsea Groton Bank, then barricaded themselves in a local motel, ending with the son’s death and the father’s hospitalization.

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What started as a seemingly routine robbery spiraled into an hours-long police standoff. The tense situation ended with gunshots inside a motel room.

Bank Robbery Unfolds on Gold Star Highway

Early Thursday morning, the Chelsea Groton Bank branch on Gold Star Highway became the target of an armed robbery. Two men—57-year-old Shaun Fallon and his 28-year-old son Zachary Fallon—walked in armed and approached a teller.

They handed over a note demanding cash. Bank employees, relying on their training, kept their cool during the ordeal.

Only one customer was present at the time. Staff discreetly alerted authorities and made sure everyone stayed safe.

The robbers left the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. They didn’t stick around for long.

Swift Response from Groton Law Enforcement

Police from Groton, New London, and Waterford jumped into action. Their investigation soon led them to the Super 8 Motel on Route 12.

Officers found the suspects’ vehicle around 5 p.m. Thursday. They quickly figured out which room the Fallons occupied.

When police tried to make contact, things escalated fast. The Fallons barricaded themselves inside, claiming they had firearms and explosives.

Standoff at Super 8 Motel

Authorities evacuated the entire motel and nearby businesses along Route 12. Officers from Norwich, Stonington, and other eastern Connecticut towns set up a perimeter.

Negotiators tried to talk things down and keep everyone safe. It was tense—no one really knew what would happen next.

“This was a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies,” said a police spokesperson. “Our primary concern was ensuring the safety of the public and bringing this situation to a peaceful resolution.”

Tragic Conclusion After Hours of Negotiation

Despite hours of negotiation, things went south just after 11 p.m. Officers heard two gunshots from inside the room.

Using a drone and other tactical gear, police checked the room and found both men with gunshot wounds. Zachary Fallon, 28, died at the scene.

His father, Shaun Fallon, 57, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Police searched the room but didn’t find any explosives, despite the threats.

Banking Community Response

Chelsea Groton Bank officials released a statement Friday morning. They praised their staff’s handling of the frightening situation.

“Our employees followed their security training perfectly,” said a bank representative. “Their calm response prioritized the safety of everyone in the branch, which is always our primary concern during such incidents.”

Connecticut banks, from Hartford to Stamford, have really invested in security training lately. Incidents like this just go to show how essential that preparation can be.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities from Groton are still digging into the incident, working with state police from Bridgeport and Danbury. They’re urging anyone who knows something to step up and share what they know.

The investigation is looking at a few key things:

Where the suspects went before and after the robbery

Whether they played a part in other crimes

What exactly led to the violent end of the standoff

This is actually the first bank robbery in Groton this year. Nearby Mystic and towns along the I-95 corridor have seen similar crimes pop up in recent months.

Local officials are reminding people that bank robberies don’t happen often in southeastern Connecticut. They point out that law enforcement’s fast action shows just how seriously the area takes public safety.

Here is the source article for this story: State Police Tactical Team assisting Groton police at Super 8 Motel

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