Parents of a UConn student suspected in killings plead for the manhunt to end in his surrender

As multiple police agencies search for a University of Connecticut student in connection with the killing of two people and an abduction, his family is pleading for him to surrender.

Peter Manfredonia, 23, is suspected of killing one man and seriously injuring another on Friday morning in Willington, Connecticut State Police said in a news release. He is also a suspect in the killing of a male acquaintance in Derby, Connecticut.

“Peter, from your parents, who love you, please turn yourself in,” the attorney for Manfredonia’s family, Michael Dolan, said in a news conference Monday night.

Manfredonia was last seen Sunday night in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania State Police determined that Manfredonia was dropped off by an Uber in front a Walmart store in East Stroudsburg on Sunday.

“Through interviews with the driver and recovered security camera footage, Troopers were able to determine that Manfredonia walked behind Walmart and other businesses onto a set of train tracks and was still in possession of a (duffel) bag full of guns he stole from a home invasion in Connecticut,” police said in a statement Tuesday morning.

“It is believed that Manfredonia does not have ties to the area and does not have a vehicle. He may attempt to solicit ride sharing services, possibly through a third party means, to flee the area,” police said.

Law enforcement in three states are searching for Manfredonia, who is believed to have moved through Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania over the course of the weekend.

As police cautioned the public in a Facebook post not to approach him, Manfredonia’s family hopes for a more peaceful resolution.

“Now Peter, if you’re listening, you are loved. Your parents, your sisters, your entire family loves you. Nobody wants any harm to come to you,” Dolan said. “It is time to let the healing process begin. It’s time to surrender. You have your parents and your sisters and your family’s entire support.”

Dolan said the Manfredonia family asked him to express their “condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have been injured and have suffered over the past several days by the events that have led to Peter’s flight from the area.”

Two killings and an abduction

Manfredonia is suspected of killing a 62-year-old man and injuring another man “with an edged weapon” on Friday morning in Willington, Connecticut State Police said in a statement.

On Sunday, Nicholas J. Eisle, 23, was found dead in his Derby home, according to Trooper First Class Christine Jeltema. Eisle was an acquaintance of Manfredonia, who appears to have stolen a black Volkswagen Jetta from Eisle’s home, state police said.

Police believe another person might have been in the home too, and was later found unharmed in Paterson, New Jersey, according to state police. The person identified Manfredonia. The individual is now back with their family in Connecticut, Jeltema told CNN.

The Volkswagen Manfredonia was believed to have been driving was found in New Jersey near the Pennsylvania border, police said.

Manfredonia is also suspected of having stolen another car, long guns and pistols from a home in Willington, on Sunday, according to police. The car was found abandoned in a state park.

State police cautioned that he is “armed and dangerous.”

A UConn senior with the support of his parents

Police said a motive for the attacks is still unclear.

Manfredonia was a senior at the UConn joint School of Engineering/School of Business Management and Engineering for Management program, UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said. He was not attending summer courses and has not been living on the campus, Reitz said.

The university is in contact with state police and providing any assistance and information they can, Reitz said.

“The university expresses its deepest, most heartfelt sympathies to the victims and their families in this horrible, incomprehensible tragedy. They are all in our thoughts,” said Reitz.

Dolan said that Manfredonia’s family has been supporting him through mental health concerns.

“You won’t be surprised to hear that Peter has struggled with mental health issues over the past several years,” Dolan added. “He sought the help of a number of therapists and he’s had the support of his parents and loved ones to help him through those struggles.”