Authorities in Connecticut on Tuesday released police body camera footage of a state trooper fatally shooting a man several feet away who was carrying a knife and was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis.
The use of deadly force is under investigation by the state Office of Inspector General.
Officer Brian Contenta fired his handgun seven times at a 29-year-old man at his home in Bolton on Friday, according to video and a preliminary report released by Inspector General Robert Devlin’s office. Officials said the man remained hospitalized Tuesday, but his condition was not disclosed.
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The officer opened fire when the man made short movements with his left arm several feet away after ignoring multiple commands to drop the knife, according to the video.
Emails and social media messages seeking comment were sent to Contenta, a relative of the man who was shot Tuesday. The man who was shot has not been charged with a crime.
State police said Contenta has been placed on administrative duty pending an investigation, which is standard procedure after a police shooting. State police declined further comment.
A Connecticut police officer fatally shot a suspect with a knife, according to body camera footage. (Fox News)
The inspector said Contenta and two other officers responded to the scene just after 2 p.m. after receiving a report of a man in a mental health crisis, threatening to harm himself or others and brandishing a knife. He headed to his home about 14 miles east of Hartford. General’s report.
When police arrived, the man reportedly had a knife in each hand. The video shows the officer repeatedly instructing the man to drop the knife.
“Come on, buddy, you know me,” one of the officers said. “Throw away your knife. Throw away your knife buddies.”
When the man made short circular motions with his left arm, Officer Doug Bernier fired his Taser and Contenta fired his handgun at the man, according to the minute-long video clip and report.
At the time, the man was standing several feet away from the two officers at the end of a short hallway leading to the kitchen. A third officer appears to be in the kitchen, but is not seen on the video.
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The Office of the Inspector General is investigating whether the shooting was justified.
