New London Police Officers Involved in Taser Death Case Identified

The following information is from the Connecticut State Police’s Public Information Office.

On 10/04/14, at approximately 3:51 a.m., the New London State’s Attorney and the Chief of the New London Police Department requested that the State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad respond to the New London Police Department to investigate an in-custody death which had occurred there.

State Police Detectives responded and did determined that on 10-03-14, at approximately 7:06 p.m., the deceased —identified as Lashano Gilbert DOB 03-02-83 —was arrested by New London Police for an [alleged] attempted carjacking in the city.

During the arrest of the accused, New London Officers were forced to utilize a department taser to gain control of accused Gilbert. The accused was reportedly yelling incoherently and actively resisting police arrest and reportedly stated to officers he was hearing voices.

Accused Gilbert was transported to L&M Hospital in New London where he was treated in the emergency room and released to New London Police custody. Gilbert was then transported to New London PD to be processed. Gilbert continued to be violent and again [allegedly] attacked New London Police officers in the booking room at the PD, according to state police.

Officers again were forced to subdue the accused Gilbert. New London Fire Department responded to police H.Q. to transport Gilbert back to L&M Hospital via ambulance. Gilbert became unresponsive while enroute to the hospital. Accused Gilbert was pronounced deceased on 10-04-14 at 0323hrs by at L & M Emergency Room.

State Police Detectives processed the scene at the police H.Q., gathered evidence, and conducted interviews. The case remains open and under investigation.

The New London Police Officers involved in these incidents are identified as:

• Sgt. Scott Johnson, a 20-year veteran of New London Police
• Officer Melissa Schafranski, a 7½-year veteran of the New London Police
• Officer Curt Lavimoniere, a 6-year veteran of the new London Police

Sgt. Johnson and Officer Schafranski have returned to duty. Officer Lavimoniere continues to recover from injury.

The Office of the Chief States Medical Examiner has conducted the postmortem exam of the deceased and has determined the case is pending further studies.

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