Full Details of Burlington Police Shooting Released

BURLINGTON, CT — A man who was shot by police Tuesday after refusing repeated orders to drop a handgun he was holding was arrested Wednesday on a warrant.

Maciej Konferowicz, 49, was taken into custody at 5:29 p.m. after state police obtained a warrant from a New Britain Superior Court judge. He was transported to Troop H in Hartford and charged with interfering with an officer.

He was released after posting a court-set $50,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 17.

An affidavit supporting Konferowicz's arrest written by Trooper Lindsey Valcourt of the Central District Major Crime Squad was released Thursday, providing full details on the circumstances of Tuesday's confrontation.

The incident began around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, when state troopers were dispatched to a report of a suicidal man at a home on Angela's Way. Police made contact with the man, identified as Konferowicz, via his cell phone, and he told them he was in possession of a gun.

A Polish-speaking trooper, Robert Olechowski, was called to the scene and made contact with Konferowicz, again by cellphone. Konferowicz told the trooper he "was ready to end his life" and demanded a priest from a Bristol parish be brought to his residence.

Konferowicz exited the home through the front door, accompanied by four dogs, and carrying a gun in his hand. Olechowski ordered him to put down the firearm, and Konferowicz briefly complied before picking the weapon back up and returning inside the house.

After Olechowski reestablished phone contact with the suspect, Konferowicz again exited the front door with the weapon in his hand, which he placed against his head, then to his chin. He then walked back into the home again.

Olechowski called Konferowicz again and told him to remove his shirt and come out of the residence unarmed. Konferowicz emerged shirtless, but carrying a gun in one hand and his cell phone in the other. The suspect refused all commands to drop the weapon and walked down the driveway, nearing responders who had formed a perimeter around the property.

As Konferowicz drew closer, two troopers fired a total of three rounds at him, striking him in the leg and causing him to drop his weapon.

The troopers provided first aid, and Konferowicz was transported to St. Francis Hospital by EMS for evaluation of what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries, Trooper First Class Kelly Grant said.

The troopers are identified as Sgt. Jack Goncalves, a 19-year veteran, and Trooper First Class Laurie Deltorto, a 22-year veteran. They are on administrative duty pending the investigation, according to Grant.

Photo courtesy of Connecticut State Police