Ansonia Police Officer Fatally Shoots Man After Domestic Dispute

ANSONIA, CT — Police fatally shot a man who threatened them with a knife following a domestic dispute on Myrtle Avenue.

On Thursday at 7:35 p.m., Ansonia police were alerted to the dispute by a woman who came to the station. She complained that her boyfriend had become physically aggressive at her residence, in violation of a "full no contact protective order," according to a police report.

Police then went to the Myrtle Avenue residence with the intent to take the man into custody for violation of the protective order, issued on Nov. 18 following a Nov. 16 domestic violence arrest involving the same woman.

At the home, police say they were confronted by the man brandishing a knife. After police made an attempt to "vebally de-escalate the situation," the man fled further into the house. Police deployed a Taser on the man when he refused their orders to drop the knife, but the Taser had no effect, police said.

"Officers made every attempt to create distance" between themselves and the man, who "then ran toward officers with the knife in hand," according to the report.

"An officer on scene then discharged at least one round from his firearm, striking the male," Chief Andrew Cota III said. "Officers were then able to disarm the male, rendered immediate medical assistance and Ansonia Rescue and Medical Service transported the male to Griffin Hospital where he was later pronounced dead."

State Police and the Danbury State’s Attorney Stephen Sedensky were called to investigate the shooting, and the case has been turned over to the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad.

Cota said that the officers were equipped with body-worn cameras, and that the videos have been supplied to the State Police and "will be released as soon as possible."