Bond reduced for Newtown woman charged in shooting, standoff

DANBURY — The attorney representing a Newtown woman arrested following a shooting and hours-long standoff with police successfully had her bond reduced to $500,000, arguing she needed treatment for her physical and mental health. 

Meghan Gouveia, 33, was charged with first-degree assault, unlawful discharge of a firearm, criminal use of a firearm, two counts of risk of injury to a minor, first-degree reckless endangerment and negligent storage of a firearm following the shooting and hours-long standoff at her Boggs Hill Road home Christmas Eve night into early Christmas morning. 

When she was arraigned in state Superior Court in Danbury on Tuesday, Gouveia seemed disoriented and appeared to lose consciousness multiple times.  

Newtown Police Lt. Scott Smith said officers responded to the residence around 8 p.m. Sunday and found a person suffering from “multiple gunshot wounds” on the front porch of the home.

Officers were able to pull the wounded individual to safety, according to Smith, who said the victim was transported to Danbury Hospital and listed in stable condition as of Monday. 

During Gouveia’s arraignment, it was revealed that the victim was her husband and that two children were inside the home at the time of the incident. 

In addition to the events that unfolded, Judge Charles Stango said improperly stored firearms found “in various drawers around the house” may also contribute to the risk of injury to minor charges brought against Gouveia, who police said was taken into custody after peacefully exiting the home shortly before 1 a.m. Monday.

“This was a long standoff with the police where the defendant is alleged to have come out of her house several times waving a weapon after the victim called the police to report being shot by the defendant,” Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Liz Bonheur said during Gouveia’s arraignment. “There were also two minor children in the house.”

Police were able to apprehend Gouveia without anyone else getting injured, she said, but it was “a seriously dangerous incident that could have been a lot worse.” 

Bonheur requested on behalf of the state that Gouveia’s bond be set at $1 million with the requirement that 30 percent of it be paid in cash in accordance with Public Act No. 23-53.

Gouveia’s attorney, Gene Zingaro, argued that a $500,000 bond — as recommended by the bail commissioner at Gouveia’s arraignment — was more appropriate for his client, who he pointed out has no criminal record.

“My client has never been arrested,” he said, noting that Gouveia also has no history of illegal drug use or violence. “She comes here with a completely clean record, and it makes one wonder what happened.”

Zingaro said help — not incarceration — is what Gouvia needs, and told the judge that her family has already started trying to find inpatient treatment centers for her.

“My client needs to be evaluated; my client needs to be treated; my client needs to be medicated,” Zingaro said, telling the judge he’s been “unable to have a full conversation” with Gouveia due to something that he said appears to be medical.

“I’ve had an opportunity to do so, but it’s not been possible,” Zingaro said. “I’m not a doctor, but obviously … there’s something else that’s the source of this.”

What he meant became evident when Gouveia, who was standing beside him, appeared to faint. Zingaro and several court marshals rushed to help her and a chair was provided for her to sit in.

When asked if she was OK, Gouveia replied, “I’m just dizzy.” 

Gouveia appeared to lose consciousness a few more times during the hearing. At one point, her eyes rolled back into her head, prompting Zingaro to ask family members of hers in the courtroom if she had a history of seizures. They said no.

Zingaro argued that requiring 30 percent of a $1 million bond be posted in cash would make it hard for Gouveia to get the help she needs, and asked the judge to set “appropriate bond” with conditions that include required inpatient mental health screening, evaluation and treatment.

Before setting her bond to $500,000 with the conditions that she possess no weapons, obey protective orders and comply with mental health treatment orders, Stango spoke to the seriousness of the charges and Gouveia’s alleged actions.

Not only did her husband sustain two gunshot wounds during the incident, Stango said, but it’s “miraculous” no one else was hurt.

“You held off the SWAT team and Newtown Police Department for a period of five hours, brandishing a weapon, coming in and out of the house, pointing a weapon at one point at the police officers while your young children were in the house,” he said. “Miraculously, they are fine and even more miraculously, you are fine because under the circumstances, it could have gone very differently.”

Gouveia’s next court date is set for Jan. 11.