MASURY — A man arrested Saturday morning after police said he shot his sister in the head with a shotgun told police the shooting happened Wednesday evening and he remained in the house with her dead body for several days.

Brookfield police Chief Aaron Kasiewicz said Janice Zanolli, 65, was found dead in the 7938 Third St. home she shared with her brother, John Zanolli, 61, around 10:15 a.m. Saturday after a family member asked police to check on her because she could not be reached for several days.

John Zanolli is charged with aggravated murder and will be arraigned today in Eastern District Court in Brookfield. He is being held at the Trumbull County jail.

Kasiewicz described the shooting as a tragic and “heartbreaking situation” for the community.

John Zanolli was found by responding officers Saturday morning on a couch in another room holding a rifle to his head and threatening to take his own life, prompting a short standoff with police. After about 30 minutes of negotiations, Kasiewicz said officers used stun guns to subdue him and safely remove the firearm.

“It’s a terrible tragedy for this family,” Kasiewicz said. “They’ve lost a loved one and now another is facing serious charges. But we’re fortunate that no one else was hurt and our officers were able to bring this to a somewhat peaceful resolution.”

The incident has shaken the small community of Brookfield, where violent crimes are rare. Kasiewicz, who has served as police chief for several years, said this is one of only a handful of homicides he has encountered during his tenure.

“It’s not something we see often here,” he said. “These kinds of incidents are devastating for everyone involved.”

Family tensions may have played a role in the shooting, according to Kasiewicz. He explained that the siblings had been in a dispute over their late father’s estate.

F. Patrick Zanolli, 91, an industrial arts teacher for the Brookfield Local School District, died in September after a sudden illness. The family was reportedly in the process of probating his estate, which included the Third Street home where the shooting occurred.

“From what we’ve gathered, there was some conflict between the siblings about responsibilities and finances related to the house,” Kasiewicz said. “Whether that was the direct cause of this tragedy, we can’t say for certain yet. That’s something the investigation will need to determine.”

The Trumbull County Homicide Task Force and multiple police departments remained on the scene late into Saturday afternoon, processing evidence and interviewing witnesses.

Kasiewicz praised the responding officers for their professionalism and quick thinking during the standoff. “Our officers handled a very volatile situation with care and precision,” he said. “They saw an opportunity to de-escalate and took it, which ultimately saved lives.”

Kasiewicz urged residents to come together during this difficult time.

“This is a close-knit community, and something like this affects everyone,” he said. “We’ll continue to do everything we can to keep people safe and support those who are grieving.”

PREVIOUS MASURY HOMICIDE

It was the second homicide in Masury in about two months.

On Dec. 20, a woman was found shot to death at 545 Lucy St. after a 24-standoff with the suspect, Andrew Reedy, 57, in what police said was a domestic violence situation involving Reedy and his ex-girlfriend, Jane Payton, 57.

Reedy shot himself, but survived, and was indicted by a Trumbull County grand jury on charges of aggravated murder and aggravated burglary. Prosecutors allege that Reedy, who had recently been evicted from Payton’s home, broke back into the residence and fatally shot her with a shotgun shortly after the eviction was enforced.

During his arraignment, Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Chris Becker argued against bond, citing Reedy’s probation status at the time of the shooting.