The officer involved in a fatal shooting during an altercation with a suspect in Montville was justified in her use of deadly force, according to a report from the Windham State’s Attorney.
On January 29, 2017, officer-involved shooting in Montville left 53-year-old Norwich resident Val Thomas dead.
State police said the incident began when the Montville Police Department first responded to the Chesterfield Lodge near the corner of Route 85 and Grassy Hill Road around 2:30 p.m. for a report of an unwanted person on the property.
When officers arrived they asked the man, later identified as Thomas, to leave but the suspect engaged officers in a violent struggle, police said.
According to police, Thomas grabbed a stun gun from one of the officers during the struggle and began beating her on the head with it. According to the state’s attorney’s report, Thomas also threatened to kill the officer. That officer drew a firearm and shot Thomas, according to police.
Thomas was taken to Backus Hospital and later died of his injuries.
The Montville officer was taken to L&M hospital and received multiple staples to close a cut on the head.
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After a review of the evidence, which included physical evidence, witness statements and video, the state’s attorney ruled that the officer was justified in her use of force.
“Since Mr. Thomas repeatedly struck her in the head with a blunt object that could have caused death or serious physical injury and stated that he intended to kill her, Officer Salvatore was justified in the use of deadly physical force,” the report said.
