NORWICH – City of Norwich Police responded to a tense situation Monday afternoon after a shotgun slug was fired through the floor of one apartment and into another below it, endangering the couple residing there.

The incident occurred at 3:52 p.m. Monday at an apartment building at 90 East Main Street.

Police responded with tactical gear and engaged the man in a brief standoff, with officers having a direct conversation with him, before he surrendered without incident.

“He was highly paranoid and highly agitated and couldn't really give us a reason why,” said NPD Chief Reuben Roach. Police said a preliminary investigation indicated the incident was not an accident and the gun was intentionally fired.

Sean Claude Frear, 32 of Norwich, is a convicted felon, who is known to local police. Officers said his status as a convicted felon prohibited him from legally owning a firearm. Police said he obtained a shotgun illegally and then removed the gun's serial numbers to conceal the origin.

Police said Frear disarmed himself before officers confronted him at the scene, and said he did not present a gun in his hands at police during his surrender. No injuries were reported.

“This was a situation that could have ended very badly, and I’m thankful that the tactics my officers used not only protected those in the area, they saved Mr. Frear’s life,” said Roach.

The chief further explained that Frear “...was under the influence of Methamphetamine and had become highly paranoid because of it and had discharged a defaced 12 Gauge shotgun into the apartment below him.”

Roach said, “multiple officers responded and used tactical awareness and verbal deescalation” to deal with a “highly agitated individual.”

Frear was charged with two counts of third degree criminal possession of a weapon, D Class felonies; a single count of criminal possession of firearm, an E Class felony; second degree reckless endangerment and fourth degree criminal mischief, both misdemeanors.

Roach said Frear made admissions to police. He also said the gun and drug paraphernalia where discovered at the scene.

Frear was arraigned at CAP Court and held on $5,000 bail and will reappear at a later date.