4 charged after Groton home invasion sends victim to hospital

GROTON, Conn. (WTNH) — Four people were charged after allegedly beating a victim with a bat and displaying a gun inside the Branford Manor apartment complex, according to City of Groton Police officials.

Police said they were dispatched to the complex around 3:23 a.m. on July 14. While en route, they learned an involved vehicle was leaving the scene.

Officers stopped the vehicle and learned the group was involved in a physical assault.

The victim was also located and transported to a hospital for treatment.

35-year-old Bryon McClellan of New London was charged with home invasion, second-degree assault, carrying a dangerous weapon, second-degree criminal mischief, second-degree breach of peace, and sixth-degree larceny. He is currently on probation for a federal drug trafficking conviction.

A judge set his bond at $500,000 in court on Monday.

McClellan was placed on medical and suicide watch after making comments in court regarding serving more prison time.

Shanice McClellan, 32, of Baltic was charged with home invasion, second-degree conspiracy to commit assault, and second-degree breach of peace.

Shilo Noon, 40, of New London was charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree conspiracy to commit assault, and second-degree breach of peace.

24-year-old Keyonia Bell of Groton was charged with second-degree burglary and second-degree breach of peace.

The prosecution said McClellan climbed through an open window and then opened the front door to let the other three suspects into the apartment. He then attacked the victim with a baseball bat.

“Looking at the photos the only injury I saw was my client and it looks like clocked in the head,” McClellan’s attorney said in response.

He said McClellan was on the porch when he was hit, and was then dragged into the home.

“So, that would mean the status of an invitee, and not an invader,” the attorney said.

Shanice, Noon, and Bell were all released on individual $10,000 cash/surety bonds and are scheduled to appear in GA-10 court on July 29.

Felix Lugo, who lives in the area, said he’s worried.

“There’s a lot of people around here that they get up at that time in the morning just to walk their dogs and it gets scary cause now you’re going to have to have eyes all around your head,” he said.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information or video footage from the area is asked to contact the City of Groton Detective Division at 860-446-4186. Tips can remain anonymous.

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