On a summer day in Killingly, Connecticut, the life of 16-year-old White male Matthew Regula was tragically cut short. It was August 5, 2014, and Matthew was visiting his girlfriend at a residence on Kenneth Drive. Also at the house was a 22-year-old man named Kyle Carney. Carney was handling a rifle inside the home when the weapon discharged. The bullet struck Matthew in the face, causing a fatal injury. Emergency responders arrived to find Matthew unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom.
He was rushed to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, but he was pronounced dead.
The immediate aftermath of the shooting led to an investigation and the arrest of Kyle Carney. He was taken into custody and charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree reckless endangerment. Initially, Carney told investigators that the rifle had accidentally discharged as he was walking through a hallway. However, his story changed during a subsequent interview with authorities. He then admitted that he had been manipulating the rifle's trigger and magazine at the moment it fired the deadly shot. Court records would later show that Carney had a history of legal troubles, including probation violations, as well as underlying mental health and substance abuse issues. A judge set his bond at $500,000.
Matthew was remembered as a kind-hearted and energetic teenager who was excitedly looking forward to starting his junior year of high school. He enjoyed playing video games with his older brother, listening to music, and cherished spending time with the people he loved. His sudden and violent death sent ripples of grief through the community. In his memory, nearly 100 friends, family members, and local residents gathered for a candlelight vigil at Davis Park to share stories and honor the positive impact he had on those around him.
