The Hartford State’s Attorney’s office has determined a Farmington police officer was justified in his use of deadly force when he fatally shot a suspect in a domestic incident in December 2013.
On December 12, 2013, Farmington officers responded to 3 Butternut Drive around 10:45 p.m. after a 911 caller reported a violent confrontation between a father and a son at the residence.
When officers arrived, they found 43-year-old Gregory Bendas standing in the street, holding a gun. Police ordered Bendas to drop the gun, but he didn't listen, according to investigators.
Police reported that Bendas raised the gun at officers in a threatening manner, police said, and an officer, identified as Officer Kyle Mortensen, fired at Bendas, killing him.
According to court documents, Bendas has been convicted of assault twice since 2012. He also suffered from mental health issues, police said.
The Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad and the Hartford State's Attorney took over the shooting investigation.
Mortensen was placed on administrative duty after the incident, which is standard procedure after an officer-involved shooting.
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After thorough investigation the state’s attorney determined that Mortensen had reason to believe that Bendas was going to fire a handgun at him and used deadly force due to that threat. Investigators noted that Mortensen told the suspect to drop the gun multiple times before firing his service weapon.
The medical examiner ruled Bendas’ manner of death to be “Suicide (Deliberately Provoked Police to Shoot).”
