Connecticut officials released police body camera video of a state trooper shooting a man holding knives several feet away during a mental health crisis. The use of force is under investigation by the state inspector general’s office.
Trooper Brian Contenta fired his handgun at the 29-year-old man at a home in Bolton on Friday. The man is hospitalized, and his condition has not been disclosed.
The trooper fired when the man made brief motions with his left arm after ignoring commands to drop the knives, according to the video.
Contenta has been placed on administrative duty pending investigations. State police declined further comment.
The troopers went to the home on a report of the man experiencing a mental health crisis. The man had a knife in each hand when troopers arrived and was repeatedly told to drop them.
The inspector general’s office is investigating whether the shooting was justified.
