Poquonnock Bridge Firefighter Timothy Devine Kills Self at University of Conneticut's Avery Point Campus

GROTON, Conn. -- The man who fatally shot himself early Tuesday at UConn's Avery Point campus after a standoff with police was a local firefighter, fitness trainer and university graduate.

Timothy Devine, 30, was a firefighter with the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District for four years, said Chief Todd M. Paige.

"Firefighter Devine was a dedicated firefighter with an exemplary record who took great pride in serving the community," Paige said in a written statement. "The Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department is deeply saddened by the sudden loss and is extending their support to his family at this extremely difficult time."

Devine was a 2010 graduate of the bachelor of general studies program at the Avery Point campus, said university spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz.

He owned a gym called CrossFit Groton. Devine wrote on his Facebook page that he got hooked on the CrossFit method of fitness training after he tried it through a coworker at the firehouse.

Also on his Facebook page is a picture of his close friend and fellow firefighter Todd Williamson, who died of cancer in 2010.

"His ordeal brought to light the true importance of health and wellness," Devine wrote.

Devine's own ordeal came to the attention of police on Monday.

According to a press release from the state police, who are investigating Devine's death, Groton-area police received a report of a despondent man at about 5 p.m. They later learned the man might have a weapon.

With officers from the University of Connecticut, Stonington, Ledyard and from the city and town of Groton involved, Devine's car was found at about 10 p.m. on the Avery Point campus, parked near the water.

A short time later, the state police said, officers found Devine standing on the rocks at the shoreline. He was armed with a handgun and would not drop it, they said. At times, he waved the weapon.

Police started talking to him and called the state police tactical team and negotiators. A trooper and a local officer talked to him for several hours in an effort to convince him to disarm, to no avail, Lt. J. Paul Vance said.

The Coast Guard was on the water nearby, and it was "a dangerous situation for everyone involved," Vance said at the scene.

The SWAT team fired bean bag ammunition and used "flash-bang" grenades in attempts to get Devine to give up.

About 3:50 a.m., he suddenly stopped talking to negotiators, Vance said. "A short time later, he raised his weapon and shot himself," his release states.

"Our intent was to peacefully disarm the individual and get him the help he needed, again to no success," Vance said.

The university activated its emergency alert system during the standoff. A building on a different part of the campus, where some 40-50 high school students were staying for a summer oceanology program, was locked and guarded by UConn police, the university said. Parents were told they could pick up their children if they wished.

Shortly before 5:30 a.m. UConn tweeted "The Avery Point incident has ended. The Campus will be open at 8:00 AM for normal business."

That part of the campus is isolated, Reitz said. The fact that it was being treated as a crime scene did not interfere with day-to-day activities.

UConn employees were encouraged to make use of the university's Employee Assistance Program by calling 860-679-2877 or 800-852-4392 if they wish to speak confidentially with a mental health professional about any concerns stemming from this incident.

Courant Staff Writer Dave Altimari and Fox CT's Cory Ziman contributed to this story.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service