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Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
Connecticut Office of Inspector General rules Windsor police officer not justified in firing gun at suspect
WINDSOR, Conn. (WTNH) — The Connecticut Office of Inspector General ruled that a Windsor police officer's use of deadly force was not justified after he shot at a man instead of using his Taser outside a convenience store in January. The inspector general said Officer Brandon Thomas, 34, found a 'suspicious' vehicle around 8:20 p.m. in the parking lot of a Tiger Mart gas station at 160 Windsor Ave on Jan. 30, 2025. The Windsor Police Department said Thomas saw a large bag of marijuana in plain view. Two people left the convenience store and walked toward the Jeep Liberty Sport, which had a license plate that matched another vehicle. The inspector general stated that when Thomas approached the pair about the misuse of the license plate, the driver, later identified as 21-year-old Geovanni Nunez, fled. Inspector general: Windsor police officer shot at fleeing suspect instead of using Taser Thomas chased Nunez across Windsor Avenue and into Keney Park. While chasing Nunez, the officer yelled, 'Stop running, or I'm going to f—ing tase you.' He then pulled out his actual firearm from its holster and fired one round at Nunez, the inspector general said. Thomas said, 'Oh, s—, I didn't mean to do that.' Nunez was not hit and was subsequently taken into custody and charged with interfering with the police and possession of a controlled substance. Police said they learned after the incident that Nunez had an outstanding warrant from Meriden police for first-degree assault. Thomas fell into a stream, and his body-worn camera became soaked. The inspector general stated, however, that the recording was recovered. Following his arrest, the inspector general said Nunez accused Thomas of shooting at him, and Thomas denied this, saying that he only used his Taser. 'Under the circumstances…Officer Thomas acted unlawfully and recklessly,' the inspector general said in his report. Thomas was arrested and charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and second-degree reckless endangerment. He was placed on limited duty after the incident. The Windsor Police Department released a statement on the incident. This was a mistake made in a high-stress, fast-evolving situation. The officer has served with the Windsor Police Department for just over three years and has no prior incidents involving questionable use of force. While we fully respect the role and authority of the Inspector General, we believe the facts in this case do not warrant an arrest or charges. Windsor Police Chief Melanson The full statement can be read below. Thomas-Arrest-Press-Release-FinalDownload The Windsor Police Employee's Association called the incident 'unfortunate' but criticized the results of the inspector general's report. We fully support a thorough investigation — as is standard in any use-of-force situation — but, under these circumstances we strongly object to criminal misdemeanor charges being filed. This action sends a chilling message to Police Officers: that even honest mistakes, due to minimal police training standards, could lead to criminal prosecution. We believe the matter should be referred internally for an administrative review and disciplinary process. Windsor Police Employee's Association Union-Press-ReleaseDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Inspector General investigating CT officer who fired gun during chase then tried to say it was Taser
The Connecticut Office of Inspector General is investigating after a Windsor police officer shot at a suspect he was chasing through a park during what appeared to be a situation where the policeman mistakenly grabbed his firearm instead of his taser. The incident began unfolding on Jan. 30 shortly after 8:20 p.m. when Officer Brandon Thomas of the Windsor Police Department spotted a 'suspicious vehicle' that was unoccupied in the parking lot of the Tiger Mart gas station at 160 Windsor Ave., according to the Office of the Inspector General. The 2008 Jeep Liberty Sport had a license plate that came back to another vehicle. According to Inspector General Robert Devlin, Jr., Thomas saw two people leave the convenience mart and walk toward the Liberty. As they did, he approached the individuals and asked about the misused license plate. 'This plate don't match, man,' Thomas says in body camera footage released from the incident. 'Hold on, hold on,' Thomas says. 'Where you going? Hold on, hold on.' One of the individuals, later identified as 21-year-old Geovanni Nunez, immediately took off running, according to Devlin. Thomas radioed in that an individual took off from him on foot as he chased him across Windsor Avenue and into the entrance of Keney Park. During the chase, Thomas told Nunez to stop running 'or I'm gonna (expletive) tase you,' the footage shows. He can then be seen aiming his firearm toward Nunez before firing a single gunshot. Nunez was not struck by gunfire, Devlin said. Thomas slows down moments after the shot was fired, at which point he can be heard saying, 'Oh, (expletive), I did not mean to do that,' the footage shows. The first of two body camera clips Devlin released ends with Thomas taking his Taser out and deploying it. According to Devlin, Thomas fell into a stream while apprehending Nunez and his body camera was doused in water. Investigators were still able to recover the footage. After Nunez was apprehended, he could be heard telling Thomas and another officer that he was shot at. 'Bro, you shot at me…,' Nunez says, the footage shows. The other officer then tells Nunez, 'No, he didn't shoot a gun at you.' Thomas can then be heard saying 'right here, this,' while holding up his Taser. 'He shot a gun at me,' Nunez then maintains. 'No, I didn't,' Thomas can be heard saying. 'I heard a gun,' Nunez says, the footage shows. 'That wasn't me, bro,' Thomas replies, according to the footage. 'I know the difference between a gun and a Taser,' Nunez says before the clip ends. According to Devlin, Nunez was arrested on charges of interfering with police and possession of a controlled substance. A spokesperson for the Windsor Police Department said Nunez was released on a non-surety bond and turned over the Meriden Police Department, who held a warrant for his arrest on one count of first-degree assault. The shooting is being investigated by Devlin's office with the assistance of the Windsor Police Department. According to Windsor police, Thomas is on 'limited duty status' pending the outcome of the investigation.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Inspector general: Windsor police officer shot at fleeing suspect instead of using Taser
WINDSOR, Conn. (WTNH) — The Connecticut Office of Inspector General and the Windsor Police Department are investigating after a police officer shot at a man instead of using his Taser outside a convenience store in January. The inspector general said Officer Brandon Thomas found a 'suspicious' vehicle around 8:20 p.m. in the parking lot of a Tiger Mart gas station at 160 Windsor Ave. Two people left the convenience store and walked toward the Jeep Liberty Sport, which had a license plate that came back to another vehicle. Hartford man arrested after series of alleged road rage incidents, manhunt in Southington The inspector general said that when Thomas approached the pair about the misuse of the license plate, 21-year-old Geovanni Nunez ran away. Thomas chased Nunez across Windsor Avenue and into Keney Park. While chasing Nunez, Thomas yelled, 'Stop running, or I'm going to f—ing tase you.' He then pulled out his actual firearm from its holster and fired one round at Nunez, the inspector general said. Thomas said, 'Oh s—, I didn't mean to do that.' Nunez was not hit and was subsequently taken into custody and charged with interfering with the police and possession of a controlled substance. Thomas fell into a stream,m and his body-worn camera became soaked. The inspector general said the recording, however, could be recovered. Following his arrest, the inspector general said Nunez accused Thomas of shooting at him, and Thomas denied this, saying that he only used his Taser. News 8 contacted the Windsor Police Department for comment on the investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
