Ex-Connecticut City Clerk Allegedly Gunned Down Tenant After Dispute

A former Connecticut city clerk and candidate for the state legislature who allegedly shot and killed her tenant last week acted in a “clearly deliberate” manner, prosecutors say.

Ellen Wink, 61, who is facing murder charges in the fatal shooting of her 54-year-old tenant Kurt Lametta on Jan. 20, appeared in Stamford Superior Court on Friday. 

During the proceedings, prosecutors argued Wink intentionally opened fire on Lametta following a feud that had been building for at least a month.

"Wink and the victim in this case had numerous interactions over the course of a month," Assistant State's Attorney Michelle Manning said in Stamford Superior Court Friday, according to the Hour of Norwalk. "She then very clearly showed her anger towards the victim."

"That anger escalated to the point where she shot him in his home — she brought the gun to that house and shot him," Manning added. "That, in the state's view, shows that she is a very dangerous person who lets her anger guide her finger."

According to an arrest report obtained by Oxygen.com, Wink opened fire on Lametta with a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver on Jan. 20 following a verbal dispute at the Norwalk property the former city clerk owns at which she had leased space to Lamette.

Authorities arrived at the property at 16 Nelson Avenue after reports of a shooting shortly after noon. Lametta, who lived there, was found lying face-up and covered in blood in a living room. He’d sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wink was arrested at the rental property and allegedly confessed to pulling the trigger five times after police arrived at the residence.

“My gun is empty,” she told responding officers.

Detectives later confirmed that Lametta was shot five times.

Kurt Lametta Photo: Facebook

According to 911 audio of Wink’s call with emergency dispatchers, the former city clerk claimed to have shot Lametta after he allegedly physically intimidated her while she was cleaning at a rental unit.

"The call starts with Wink yelling 'he was after me,'" Detective John Sura wrote in the police report. “She then states she has a gun and that her tenant came after her because she was cleaning up a little and he was all over the place."

"She said, 'I am so tired of this guy, he is on the floor,'" the report continued. "She said that she had kept telling him to get out and had enough. Wink continued rambling about issues Kurt Lametta caused."

Other tenants living at the property told police they’d heard “loud banging,” as well as Wink and Lametta arguing at the time of the shooting. One neighbor said he heard Lametta scream “call 911” during the confrontation.

Wink’s boyfriend, James Gavin, was also detained and questioned at an adjacent unit following the shooting. He told investigators that Wink was planning on selling the property and occasionally accesses the unit.

Gavin alleged that that Wink was afraid of Lametta, who had once allegedly threatened to kill another tenant.

Wink was appointed Norwalk City Clerk in 2009 by Republican Mayor Richard Moccia. She resigned in 2011, according to city officials.

The 61-year-old also ran for public office twice: In 2006 and again in 2020, she unsuccessfully ran as Republican state representative in Connecticut’s 137th District. She lost to Democratic incumbent Chris Perone both times.

Perone declined on Tuesday to comment on the allegations his former political opponent is facing. 

Wink is being held on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records. Her next court date is scheduled for Jan. 28. She hasn’t yet entered a plea. 

Kevin Black, Wink’s defense attorney, declined to comment on the open case when contacted by Oxygen.com.

Attempts to contact Wink’s family for comment were also unsuccessful this week. Nancy Gamer, Wink’s sister — who is a podiatrist in Wilton, Connecticut — wasn’t immediately available when contacted by Oxygen.com on Tuesday afternoon.