The despondent male refused to comply with all directions made by the officers and he made an abrupt movement with the weapon toward the officers. One Bethel Police Officer was forced to discharge his service weapon at the male subject severely wounding him. EMS personnel responded to the shooting scene, provided emergency care and transported the despondent male to Danbury Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

   The Bethel Police Officers were not injured in this incident.  Bethel Police officers secured the area of the shooting incident and, at the request of the Bethel Police Chief and Danbury State's Attorney, the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad was requested to respond to this scene to conduct an investigation into this incident.  

   State Police Major Crime Detectives and Forensic Lab Personnel will process the scene and gather all physical and forensic evidence at the scene.

   State Police Major Crime Detectives have made a tentative identification of the deceased. The identity of the deceased will be withheld at this time to allow for next of kin to be notified. A post mortem examination of the deceased will be conducted by the Office of the Chief State's Medical Examiner to determine the manner and cause of death.

   As is normal department policy, the Police Officer involved in this police shooting will be assigned to administrative duty pending the completion of this investigation.  The Police Officer's identity will also be withheld to allow him the opportunity to notify family of this incident.  

   The State Police investigation is continuing.

   ###END###
   LT. J. Paul Vance