New London — Court officials on Monday lowered the bond for James Armstrong, accused of fatally shooting Ralph Sebastian Sidberry in April, from $2 million to $1.5 million, citing his lack of a criminal record and early cooperation with police.

State police identified Armstrong, a 30-year-old New London resident, as a suspect almost immediately after the April 12 shooting at 628C Lantern Hill Road in North Stonington.

Armstrong was arrested July 27 in Missouri and held in a jail there until he was brought back to Connecticut this past weekend.

Armstrong’s next court date is slated for Oct. 3 in Part A on Huntington Street, where major crimes are heard.