Stamford Police Captain Shoots Attacking Pit Bull

STAMFORD, CT — An alleged violent suspect turned a pit bull loose to attack a Stamford police captain Sunday afternoon leading to the captain shooting the dog, according to authorities. The dog was rushed to Stamford-based Cornell University Veterinary Hospital and is currently listed in stable condition.

The incident began just before 3 p.m. when Stamford police were called to a location on Selleck Street on a report of a "serious domestic assault."

The first officers to arrive at the scene found a 58-year-old victim who told the officer that her boyfriend, 49-year-old Lindon Shaw, had "physically assaulted her, and choked her until she lost consciousness" and suffered a seizure.

Shaw was still at the scene but ran off when officers arrived, and the victim was transported to Stamford Hospital where she was treated for "a multitude of injuries inflicted by Shaw."

Officers were alerted to be on the lookout for Shaw, who owns a silver Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck "has access to a handgun, is very violent, deals narcotics and may be in possession of a large Pit Bull."

"Just after 6 p.m. Captain [Diedrich] Hohn was travelling on Selleck Street when he observed a male, fitting the description of Shaw, standing outside the rear passenger’s side door of the vehicle described in the memo," wrote Stamford police in a post on the department's Facebook page. "The Captain pulled into the lot and identified and ordered Shaw to back away from the vehicle. Shaw refused to comply and his large pit bull came charging at the Captain, who at this point, retreated to his vehicle.

"Shaw and the dog then took up the same position behind the passenger side door and Capt. Hohn again approached in an attempt to apprehend Shaw. Shaw still would not comply and kept his hands secreted behind the car door. At this point the dog charged at the Captain and when it got within 3 feet of attacking the Captain, he was shot. The dog retreated and Shaw then complied with the Captains orders."

Back up officers arrived to assist with the apprehension of Shaw, and at that time the dog was taken to the veterinary hospital.

"Approximately 5 feet from Shaw’s person was a brown bag that contained 1.7 Oz of powder cocaine with numerous baggies used for packaging cocaine," wrote Stamford police. "It is believed that Shaw was using the dog to protect his narcotic business and used the dog as a distraction to throw the narcotics as the dog was attacking."

Shaw was charged with:

• Assault, 2nd degree
• Strangulation, 2nd degree
• Disorderly Conduct
• Threatening, 2nd degree
• Criminal Attempt at an Assault on a Police Officer
• Interfering with Police
• Breach of Peace

He also is expected to arrested on narcotics charges after the contents of the bag are tested. Shaw was held in lieu of bail of $150,000 and was scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Aug. 27.

"The [Stamford Police Department] would like to commend the victim for coming forward to report this incident. This abuse the victim has been experiencing has been going on for some time and every incident gets more violent. Our Special Victims Unit will follow up and assure that the victim gets the protection and services she needs to end this cycle of violence. There are many other victims of Domestic Abuse and as you could see the SPD takes this seriously. If you are or know a victim of Domestic Violence you are encouraged to call the Special Victims Unit at 203-977-5884 for assistance."

Photo: Lindon Shaw. Photo credit: Stamford Police Department

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