CT State Trooper Suspended After Assault Charge In Southington

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A Connecticut state trooper was suspended after being charged with assault last week in Southington, authorities said.

Southington police described the incident as domestic in nature.

Trooper First Class Christopher Russell, 46, was charged with third-degree assault, disorderly conduct, third-degree criminal mischief risk of injury to a minor, Southington police said.

The incident took place at 8:39 p.m. at a home in Southington, according to a police report. State police were called to the scene by local police and troopers seized Russell's police-issued firearms, badge, identification and cruiser, authorities said. State police added Russell's police powers have been suspended and an internal affairs investigation is underway.

Russell has been employed by state police since 2008.

Southington police were alerted to the domestic incident by an anonymous call, the report indicates. Russell is accused of taking a mirror off a wall and breaking it during the altercation, which began while Russell was attending a wedding and escalated when he was at the local home, according to the report.

The report shows conflicting stories on how the mirror was broken. It indicates the victim in the case may have been hit in the face and had a finger injury; the victim also fought with Russell, according to the report. A teenager was present during the fracas.

Russell was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond.