Gun Charges Follow Investigation Into Eastern Student’s Death

WINDHAM — A Willimantic man faces firearm charges after an investigation into the January death of an Eastern Connecticut State University student, according to WINY Radio’s November 5 report citing an arrest affidavit.

WINY identified the defendant as Julian Sanchez-Ayala, 22, and reported that he was arrested October 11. The charges listed in the report concern alleged gun possession, sale and an altered firearm identification number; they do not include homicide.

The investigation began January 28 after university police were asked to check on a student in Burr Hall. Officers found the 19-year-old student dead and recovered a handgun, according to WINY’s account of the affidavit.

Investigators allegedly connected the firearm to Sanchez-Ayala through messages and a $400 Cash App transfer made January 12. WINY reported that messages described a meeting near Burr Hall and that a separate conversation on Sanchez-Ayala’s phone included photographs investigators considered consistent with the recovered gun.

The station reported that the handgun had been stolen during a May 2024 burglary in Maine and that the Connecticut State Forensic Laboratory restored its removed serial number. Investigators also alleged that Sanchez-Ayala was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction.

WINY listed charges of criminal possession of a pistol or revolver; criminal possession of a firearm, ammunition or a deadly weapon by a convicted felon; illegal sale or delivery of a pistol or revolver to a prohibited person; carrying a pistol without a permit; and illegal alteration of firearm identification. The allegations have not been proven in court.

The next step reported by WINY is a November 25 appearance at 10 a.m. in Danielson Superior Court. The station said court records showed Sanchez-Ayala held on $1 million bond.

Burr Hall is a residence hall on Eastern’s south campus next to Shafer Hall, according to the university. The case described by WINY concerns events earlier this year, rather than a newly reported campus incident.