Police Officer Assaulted During Melee In Enfield [UPDATED]

ENFIELD, CT — A melee ensued during a wellbeing check in the Pearl Street area Friday afternoon, resulting in a police officer being lacerated by a thrown bottle and four people placed under arrest.

Police Chief Alaric Fox said officers were checking on a report of a suicidal person, and "while verifying that individual’s status, an agitated crowd began to gather" at Pearl and South streets.

On Saturday, Fox released the following complete account of the incident, as well as photos and charges filed against the arrested men and a photo of the bloodied officer.

"On June 12, 2020, at 3:10 p.m. Enfield Police personnel were dispatched to conduct a wellbeing check of a reportedly suicidal male party. Responding officers located the male in an alley at the rear of the Good Times Package Store, located at 92 Pearl Street. As the officers were attempting to evaluate the male, two other males, 22 year old Adam Brunetti and 21 year old Michael Shanley, who were otherwise uninvolved with this incident, began to verbally berate the officers with unsolicited derogatory comments.

The originally reported suicidal male patient then ran in the rear door of the package store as the officers followed. Brunetti, Shanley, 25 year old Mark Keys, and the store owner all followed the officers into the store. Brunetti, Shanley, Keys, and the store owner, who were all acquaintances of the male patient, continued to berate the officers as they attempted to medically evaluate the male patient. Shanley was live streaming the incident to social media with his cellular telephone.

The officers continuously attempted to deescalate the incident. As the officers were escorting the male patient toward the front of the store, in an effort to route him for additional care, he punched one of the officers in the face. As that officer was attempting to restrain the male patient, Shanley grabbed the officer from behind causing all three to fall to the floor. When a second officer attempted to assist the first officer, Keys blocked the second officer as the store owner was yelling at the officers to leave the store.

During the altercation, Brunetti threw an unopened glass bottle of alcohol at the second officer, striking the officer in the head and causing a laceration to the scalp. Additional officers were called and arrived on scene. The male patient continued to resist and assault officers, which resulted in the male having to be tased.

Brunetti and Shanley both ran from the store in an attempt to elude capture but were quickly apprehended. Keys remained on scene and was subsequently arrested. After being placed under arrest, Keys continued to refuse officers' instructions which resulted in him having to be carried to a police cruiser for transportation from the scene.

The officer that was struck in the head with the bottle was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries which required multiple staples to close the laceration. The original male patient was transported to a local hospital where he was evaluated and released to police custody. Oxycodone pills were recovered inside the store.

During the subsequent investigation video footage of the incident was reviewed, including store surveillance, Town of Enfield cameras, and personal cellular telephones. The video footage evidence and admissions by the suspects support the criminal charges against the four suspects.

There have been multiple postings on social media that contradict the above facts of this incident and which allege misconduct by the officers involved, which is not supported by the evidence gathered. In an ongoing effort to achieve professionalism and promote transparency, however, the Enfield Police Department is requesting that anyone who has any additional information and or video / audio recordings of this incident to contact Sergeant Held at 860-763-6400 extension 1238."

The four men arrested and the charges against them are:

• Adam Brunetti, 22, of 39 Betty Rd., Enfield. Charged with second-degree assault, assault on a public safety officer, interfering with an officer and second-degree breach of peace. Held on $100,000 bond.
• Jeremy Layne, 23, of no certain address. Charged with third-degree assault, assault on a public safety officer, interfering with an officer and second-degree breach of peace. Released on $25,000 bond.
• Michael Shanley, 21, of 5 Riverdale Rd., Enfield. Charged with first-degree unlawful restraint, interfering with an officer and second-degree breach of peace. Released on $20,000 bond.
• Mark Keys, 24, of 30 Thompson Court, Enfield. Charged with interfering with an officer and second-degree breach of peace. Released on $5,000 bond.

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