Decision Reached In Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting In Montville

MONTVILLE, CT — Police Off. Robin Salvatore has been deemed to have been justified in using deadly force in the shooting death of Norwich resident Val Thomas during an altercation with police at the Chesterfield Lodge in Montville in January 2017, announced State's Attorney Anne F. Mahoney.

During the incident, Thomas, 53, stole a taser from Salvatore, shot it at her and Off. Gregg Jacobson. He then repeatedly struck Salvatore in the head with the weapon before she shot him once in the abdomen, according to the report.

Thomas was taken to transported to William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich after the shooting where he was pronounced dead minutes after being admitted. Salvatore was treated for her injuries at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London.

"The State’s Attorney finds that based on the facts in this case, Montville Constable Robin Salvatore was justified under Connecticut General Statutes Section 53a-22(c) in using deadly physical force upon another person, namely Mr. Val Thomas," wrote Mahoney in the report. "Since Mr. Thomas repeatedly struck her in the head with a blunt object that could have caused death or serious physical injury and stated that he intended to kill her, Officer Salvatore was justified in the use of deadly physical force."

Mahoney added, "The death of Mr. Val Thomas was a tragedy. The State’s Attorney extends her condolences to his family."

To read State's Attorney Anne F. Mahoney's full report, click here.

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