Fireworks have been thrown into a homeless encampment behind the Lowe's on Old Gate Lane in Milford, starting fires that residents had to put out themselves, while someone has spray-painted swastikas on nearby trees. Milford police say they have now identified multiple suspects, but the investigation is far from over, and officers still don't know whether all of the reported attacks are connected.
According to NBC Connecticut, police identified one suspect through a license plate reader on Old Gate Lane, and digital evidence from other sources led investigators to two additional suspects. Multiple suspects have been identified in at least one incident at the encampment, according to NBC Boston, though those incidents may or may not be related to the people police have identified. Investigators believe there are at least five separate incidents in total, and it is not yet clear whether the same individuals are responsible for all of them.
Fires, Fireworks and Hate Symbols
Police have confirmed evidence of fireworks thrown into the encampment area and swastikas painted on a tree, facts first reported by FOX61. The Beth-El Center, which works with people experiencing homelessness, has said fireworks thrown into the encampment resulted in fires that residents had to extinguish themselves, per its account relayed by Patch. The organization has described the attacks as nearly daily and said that over the past week, incidents have become increasingly dangerous, the same report notes.
Accounts differ on when the attacks began. One report attributed to Beth-El Center says the incidents started around September 29, while NBC Connecticut reported that people at the encampment have been describing verbal and physical attacks since September 19. Police have said there does not appear to be any physical injuries to encampment residents, according to Patch's reporting, while a separate NBC Connecticut report said some people were injured, including a Lowe's employee who was hit by a firework, though Jennifer Paradis said no one was taken to the hospital.
Police Increase Patrols as Hate Crime Review Looms
Officers have increased patrols in the area and there is enhanced security near the encampment, according to the same NBC Connecticut report, and the investigation remains active. Milford Police Chief Keith Mello said that after the investigation is complete, police will evaluate the circumstances and determine what criminal charges may be appropriate. A hate crimes notification has been filed with the Connecticut State Police Hate Crimes Unit, per Patch, and police may consider whether a hate crime has been committed once the investigation concludes.
Milford Mayor Richard Smith said the city is outraged and appalled by this cruelty, and said the mayor's office plans to work with the Milford Police Department to identify and prosecute those responsible and hold them accountable. Jennifer Paradis said that physical attacks, hate speech and the criminalization of people who are trying to meet their basic needs must be condemned by every community leader to the highest order, and she urged officials and law enforcement to protect unhoused residents, hold those responsible accountable, and end the violence. Beth-El Center has called for immediate protective measures and described the situation as a public safety issue.
A Rare Case, Advocates Say
State Rep. Laurie Sweet told NBC Connecticut she had never heard of people at an encampment being attacked during her time as an advocate and legislator, underscoring how unusual the situation is even to those who work closely on homelessness issues in the state.
The attacks come as homelessness has been rising across Connecticut. The number of people experiencing homelessness in the state increased nearly 10% in 2025, according to CT News Junkie, with 3,735 people recorded as homeless statewide, including 833 who were unsheltered. The number of unsheltered people in Connecticut rose by about 45% in 2025 even as homelessness nationally decreased by 3%, per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development figures cited in that report.
