A state's attorney's report investigating the police-involved fatal shooting of an armed robbery suspect in Milford concludes that the trooper was within his means in using deadly force and acted appropriately in doing so.
The investigation stems from an October incident in which 29-year-old Matthew Lofaro entered the Patriots Fuel gas station convenience store at 719 Boston Post Road in Milford, brandished a Japanese-style sword and threatened an employee in an attempted robbery. It happened just after 3 a.m. Oct. 23.
State Police Trooper First Class James Scott, a 15-year veteran of the department, was patrolling the Milford area on Oct. 23, stopped at the gas station while on patrol, used the restroom and interrupted the armed robbery, according to a report by State’s Attorney Kevin Lawlor.
Scott exited the bathroom and confronted Lofaro, who was approaching the clerk in a threatening way. Police said Scott ordered Lofaro to drop the sword. When Lofaro refused, Scott fired his gun and shot him in the chest, fatally wounding him, according to the state's attorney.
Lofaro was pronounced dead at the scene. A store clerk inside the building was unharmed during the incident and Scott was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.
Following department policy, Scott was placed on departmental administrative duty. The state’s attorney’s report, released Tuesday, concludes that Scott was legally justified in using deadly force against Lofaro.
The state's attorney said Scott will not be prosecuted.
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The report shows Lofaro's blood alcohol content to be nearly three times the legal limit. Synthetic opiate derivatives were also found in Lofaro's system.
In November, state police arrested 29-year-old Jonathan D. Cenat, of West Haven, an alleged co-conspirator who was found asleep in the driver's seat of Lofaro's Lexus outside a nearby motel.
Police said Cenat changed his story several times when confronted by investigators and that cellphone records revealed he and Lofaro had spoken just prior to the robbery attempt.
Cenat was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree, false statement in the second degree and interfering with a police officer. He was held on a $150,000 bond and appeared in court Nov. 22.
