A Stratford police officer has been placed on leave after shooting a man who attacked police with a hammer Friday morning, authorities said.
It happened while officers were conducting a search around 5 a.m. Friday at 25 Yarwood Street, according to police. During the search, William C. Rucker, 41, of Stratford, attacked officers with a hammer and ignored their orders to stop.
Officer Paul Giegengack, a seven-year veteran of the Stratford Police Department, fired his gun at Rucker, shooting him in the left hand. Stratford police said Rucker immediately dropped the hammer and surrendered.
Rucker suffered non-life threatening injuries and was treated at Bridgeport Hospital, state police said. No officers were injured.
The search of 25 Yarwood Street revealed heroin, prescription pills, half a kilogram of cocaine, a loaded .45-caliber handgun and a loaded, stolen .38-caliber handgun, according to Stratford police.
Rucker was arrested and charged with criminal attempt at assaulting an officer, interfering with a search warrant, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, operating a drug factory, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of heroin with intent to sell and possession of cocaine with intent to sell.
He was held on $750,000 bond.
Local
Tonya Rankin, 42, of 25 Yarwood Street, was also arrested. Police charged her with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, operating a drug factory, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of heroin with intent to sell and possession of cocaine with intent to sell.
Rankin was held on $500,00 bond. Both Rucker and Rankin are due in court Sept. 22. It's not clear if either has an attorney.
The Bridgeport state's attorney's office and state police are investigating Giegengack's use of his service weapon. Giegengack has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is underway.
