WILTON — Fairfield Police are remaining tight lipped about any possible motives in the murder of a former Wilton resident.

"We don't speculate. We don't have that luxury," said Capt. Gary MacNamara, media spokesman for Fairfield Police.

Kyle Schneider, 17, was shot in his Fairfield home on Thursday, May 1. His body was discovered unresponsive and bleeding by his father Douglas at 7:40 p.m. in their 4200 Congress St. home, according to MacNamara.

The Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner's office said he died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled it a homicide.

Schneider was never a student at Wilton High School but his death sent a ripple of grief through the school this week. He attended middle school in Maine and was a junior at Fairfield Warde High School at the time of his death.

The Wilton student body placed a memorial to Schneider on the back wall of the school, writing messages to and about him, and placing roses at the foot of the wall. Two groups were also created on networking Web site Facebook.com in memory of Schneider.

"This tragic news arrived last Thursday night," said Wilton High School principal Timothy Canty, who said that he, school social worker Kim Zemo, Head of the Guidance Department Deb Marino and a student support team has been working since then to provide support to the student body.

"We've been in contact with their parents, we've held meetings and we've been giving students a great deal of flexibility in how they manage their day," said Canty.

The teachers, he said, have been asked not to place undue burdens on the students and students are encouraged to speak to their counselors if they feel they need support.

Zemo estimates that about 40 students were impacted in various ways by Schneider's death. The Wilton High School guidance department reached out to the families of the students who were closest to Schneider, offering advice on grieving teens.

"Teenagers don't expect to lost their friends," said Zemo, "and they don't expect to lose their friends in the way in which they lost Kyle."

Zemo also said that the manner of Schneider's death has been particularly upsetting to some students who are also worried about their own safety.

"We are just trying to do everything we can to support the students who felt so passionately about Kyle," said Canty.

Schneider's funeral occurred Thursday, May 8, at the First Congregational Church in Fairfield.