Until late last month, the Danbury (CT) Police Department had not had a fatal officer-involved shooting in two decades. Then, on December 29, an officer shot and killed a knife-wielding man and critically wounded the man's mother.
Paul Arbitelle was holding a knife when he charged an officer, who first deployed a TASER, and then opened fire when the device failed to stop the assailant's approach.
Arbitelle reportedly had a checkered past of hate crimes and assaults against police officers.
According to the News Times, two officers involved in the incident had been placed on administrative leave. Officer Regina Guss has returned to duty. Officer Alex Relyea could return to the street before the end of the week.
Chief Patrick Ridenhour said, "It is a tragedy for the mother, for the victim who was going after the police officer with a knife, and the police officer himself, who had to exercise his academy and in-house training to defend himself."
