Ansonia Police: Man With Knife Shot And Killed

ANSONIA — Police responding to a domestic incident on Mrytle Avenue Thursday said they shot and killed a man who was holding a knife.

State police detectives are now investigating what they’re calling a fatal use of force” incident.

The man’s name was not released at an 11 a.m. press conference at Ansonia City Hall.

The video from that press conference is embedded above.

According to a statement from Ansonia Police Chief Andrew Cota, a woman walked into the lobby of the Ansonia Police Department at 7:35 p.m. Thursday and said her boyfriend had become physically aggressive.” She told police the boyfriend was at her residence at 81 Mrytle Ave.

Police said the boyfriend was in violation of a protective order issued in Nov. 18, 2019.

Officers went to 81 Myrtle Avenue to speak to the male and to take him into custody for violation of a protective order,” Cota said.

Three police officers entered the residence and were confronted by the man, who was holding a knife.

Cota said police tried talking to the man to de-escalate” the situation, but he retreated further into the house.”

The man ignored orders to drop the knife. Police used a Taser to get control. The Taser had no effect as the male advanced toward them,” the chief said.

The male then ran toward officers with the knife in hand. Officers made every attempt to create distance between themselves and the unwanted male/subject,” according to the chief.

One of the officers shot the man, at least once. The man was pronounced dead at Griffin Hospital a short time later.

Cota said the officers were wearing body cameras. The videos have been turned over to the state police and will be released, Cota said.

The shooting investigation is being handled by detectives from the State Police Western District Major Crime Squad.

The man did not have a gun, contrary to some initial media reports.

The man had previously been arrested in Ansonia in connection to a domestic violence incident, Cota said.

There is help for anyone experiencing domestic violence in the Valley. The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, a program of BHcare, is located in downtown Ansonia.

The UCDVS Crisis Hotline numbers are (203) 736‑9944 and (203) 789‑8104. Toll-free 1 – 888-774‑2900.

Click here for more information.

The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave per department policy and have been offered counseling services. Their names were not released.

Keep local reporting alive. Donate.ValleyIndy.org