Waterbury Woman Recounts Surviving Husband's Shooting Attack

Sharon Bertrand shares her story of domestic abuse and recovery with the help of local shelter Safe Haven

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:52pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single bullet casing on a dark background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the violence and trauma experienced by a domestic abuse survivor.A survivor's story exposes the harsh realities of domestic violence and the vital need for support services in the Waterbury community.Waterbury Today

Sharon Bertrand, a mother in Waterbury, Connecticut, recounts the night last year when her husband of 26 years turned a gun on her, shooting her multiple times. Bertrand says this was the culmination of over two decades of physical and mental abuse. In the aftermath, she was connected with the local domestic violence shelter Safe Haven, which provides support, training, and resources for survivors and first responders.

Why it matters

Bertrand's story sheds light on the ongoing crisis of domestic violence in the Waterbury area and across Connecticut, where shelters have seen a surge in demand for services since 2024. Her experience highlights the critical role that organizations like Safe Haven play in supporting survivors and working to prevent such tragedies.

The details

According to Bertrand, the night of the shooting began with her husband saying 'I'm going to show you,' before firing the first shot. She saw the blood and told him 'you really shot me,' at which point he shot her two more times. Bertrand now realizes this was the culmination of over 20 years of abuse. In the aftermath, she was connected with Safe Haven, a local organization that works closely with law enforcement on domestic violence cases, provides training for first responders, and looks for ways to prevent such incidents.

  • The shooting incident occurred last year.
  • Bertrand is sharing her story in April 2026.

The players

Sharon Bertrand

A mother and survivor of a domestic violence shooting attack by her husband of 26 years.

Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury

A local domestic violence shelter that provides support, training, and resources for survivors and first responders in the Waterbury area.

Dr. Amanda Nardozzi

The executive director of Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury.

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What they’re saying

“'I'm going to show you, and that's when he took the first shot. I had seen the blood and I looked at him and said 'you really shot me,' and that's when he shot me again, and then he shot me again.'”

— Sharon Bertrand

“'It's critical that we exist, it's critical that we're funded. Our legislators need to know that we're critical to be funded, that we don't take payment for anything.'”

— Dr. Amanda Nardozzi, Executive Director, Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury

“'This is another family and they're just phenomenal because without them, honestly, I really don't know where I'd be.'”

— Sharon Bertrand

What’s next

Safe Haven is holding a charity dinner and auction called 'Out of the Shadows' at the end of the month, where they will honor several survivors including Sharon Bertrand.

The takeaway

Bertrand's harrowing experience highlights the ongoing crisis of domestic violence in the Waterbury area and the critical role that organizations like Safe Haven play in supporting survivors and working to prevent such tragedies. Her story underscores the importance of funding and resources for domestic violence shelters and services.