Visitors arrive at the home of Jeffrey Giuliano in New Fairfield, Conn., Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Giuliano fatally shot a masked teenager in self-defense during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning, then discovered that he had killed his son, Tyler, state police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Visitors arrive at the home of Jeffrey Giuliano in New Fairfield, Conn., Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Giuliano fatally shot a masked teenager in self-defense during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning, then discovered that he had killed his son, Tyler, state police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The home of Jeffrey Giuliano is scene here in New Fairfield, Conn., Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Giuliano fatally shot a masked teenager in self-defense during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning, then discovered that he had killed his son, state police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Students leave New Fairfield High School where in New Fairfield, Conn., Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Tyler Giuliano, a student involved in Civil Air Patrol at the school was killed by his father Jeffrey Giuliano during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning. Giuliano fatally shot a masked teenager in self-defense, then discovered that he had killed his son, state police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
A blue tent protects the scene of a fatal shooting in New Fairfield, Conn., Thursday, Sept, 27, 2012. Police say Jeffrey Giuliano shot a masked teenager in self-defense during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning, then discovered that he had killed his son, Tyler. (AP Photo/The News-Times, Carol Kaliff) MANDATORY CREDIT
New Fairfield and state police respond to the scene of a fatal shooting in New Fairfield, Conn., Thursday, Sept, 27, 2012. Police say Jeffrey Giuliano shot a masked teenager in self-defense during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning, then discovered that he had killed his son, Tyler. (AP Photo/The News-Times, Carol Kaliff) MANDATORY CREDIT
NEW FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) ? A small Connecticut town was sent reeling in grief and confusion Friday after a popular fifth-grade teacher shot and killed a knife-wielding prowler in a black ski mask, only to discover it was his 15-year-old son.
No immediate charges were brought against the father, Jeffrey Giuliano, in the slaying of his son, Tyler, who was gunned down in his aunt's driveway next door to his own home around 1 a.m. Thursday.
"It's something out of a Hollywood script," said John Hodge, the first selectman, or top elected official, in the town of nearly 14,000 people about 50 miles from New York city. He said he couldn't recall another killing in his eight years on the job.
State police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said the boy had never been in trouble with the law, and some of those who knew him described him as a good kid with an easygoing personality. Investigators and acquaintances said they were at a loss to explain what he was doing outside dressed all in black and carrying a weapon.
"Certainly, that is the major question we are trying to answer at this point," Vance said.
State police said the shooting happened after Jeffrey Giuliano got a call from his sister next door saying that someone might be trying to break into her home in their neighborhood of attractive colonial-style houses. Giuliano grabbed a handgun and went outside to investigate, troopers said.
He confronted someone in a ski mask and opened fire when the person came at him with something shiny in his hand, police said.
When police officers arrived, Tyler was lying dead in the driveway with a knife in his hand, and his father, in T-shirt and shorts, was sitting on the grass. Detectives informed the elder Giuliano several hours later that he had shot his son, Vance said.
"All in all it's a tragedy," Vance said.
Police were investigating whether the father's gun was registered.
No one answered the door at Giuliano's home or his sister's.
Tyler was a student at New Fairfield High School and a Civil Air Patrol cadet. Some of those who knew him said he enjoyed spending time with his family and flying gliders and small planes. He was adopted by Giuliano and his wife a few years ago, friends said.
One classmate said many students were baffled by what happened.
"I just thought it was so weird when I heard because I knew Tyler, not very well, but he was just a sweet person and he always made everyone laugh. I met him in the chorus room, actually, and he just wasn't the type to do what happened," said Erin Pallas, 16. "So it didn't make sense to us. It doesn't make sense to the student body."
Brett Rasile, a 14-year-old friend, said he and Tyler were playing an online game called Minecraft while talking and laughing together via Skype until about 10 p.m. Wednesday, when Tyler said he had to go to bed. Brett said Tyler wasn't in any trouble that he knew of, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
"Same old Tyler. He was perfectly fine," Brett said. "He didn't really leave any evidence, any hints towards what he would do."
Alicia Roy, New Fairfield superintendent of schools, said the elder Giuliano grew up in the town, holds summer music and zoology camps for his students and plays guitar in a local rock band that raises money for charity. He is affectionately known as "Mr. G" around Meeting House Hill School.
"He was the teacher you requested in the fifth grade. He was a great teacher. All the kids loved him," said Rosemary Rasile, Brett's mother.
Brian Wyckoff, 17, said Mr. G "was always walking around with a smile on his face. He always says hi to everyone."
The high school stayed open late to provide grief counseling for students and parents.
"The community is deeply saddened, and our hearts go out to all the family members," Roy said.
___
Associated Press reporter Dan Sewell reported from Cincinnati. Pat Eaton-Robb and Stephen Singer reported from Hartford, Conn. AP video journalist Ted Shaffrey also contributed to this story.
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