The state's attorney has determined that a Willimantic police officer was justified in using force when he shot and a hatchet-wielding man in March.
Police responded to an apartment building at Main and Clark streets just before 8 p.m. on March 12 after someone reported that a man was acting in a threatening manner outside the building, according to state police.
When officers arrived, they knocked on Daniel Johnston's apartment door and he said, "no one lives here but the cockroaches," and "if you want me, come and get me, the door is open."
Police entered the unit and did not immediately see Johnston, 58.
Then they saw him, partially concealed, holding what police believed was an axe.
Johnson then began to charge toward police, according to the state's attorney.
"Police. Drop the knife," they ordered, according to the report released today. Johnston did not, according to authorities.
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One Willimantic officer used a stun gun and the other, Aaron Braia, shot his service weapon, according to state police.
The first two round hit Johnston in the chest, according to authorities, and Johnston continued to come toward Brais. The officer fired another shot and Johnston dropped to the ground, according to the state's attorney.
Emergency crews brought Johnston to Windham Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:14 p.m. The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, according to the medical examiner.
Toxicology screenings did not reveal alcohol or drugs in Johnston's system, according to authorities.
"Officer Brais reasonably feared that the man could swing or throw the axe at him or another officer. Because of the limited size of the balcony, Officer Brais had few, if any, options. There was no escape path; the man refused to obey repeated commands to drop the weapon. The man continued advancing upon the officer with the axe poised and ready to strike," the report from State's Attorney Patricia Froehlich says.
The loss of life, particularly in a violent manner, is tragic," Froehlich wrote and extended her condolences to the family and friends of Daniel Johnston.
