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Regina Guss and Alex Relyea have been identified as the Danbury Police officers involved in the shooting death of Paul Arbitelle, 45, of Danbury, and wounding his mother, Linda Arbitelle, after he threatened them with a knife, said the Connecticut State Police.
The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 29, when the two officers responded to the area of the Glen Apartments at 25 Memorial Drive in Danbury for a report of a suspicious male in the area.
When they arrived they encountered Arbitelle exiting an apartment armed with a knife, which he "presented toward the responding officers," the state police said.
The officers ordered him to drop his weapon and provided him with multiple commands, which he disregarded and failed to comply with.
In an attempt to mitigate the threat, Officer Guss deployed her issued Taser toward Arbitielle, which was ineffective, and he continued to who advance toward the two officers present at the scene, the state police said.
To prevent the imminent use of deadly physical force against themselves and any members of the public, Officer Relyea discharged his service pistol at Arbitelle, striking him three times, state police said.
Officers were then able to secure the scene, and request that an ambulance be dispatched.
As a result of this incident, Arbitelle's mother received an unintentional gunshot wound. Both were treated on-scene by emergency medical services and transported to medical facilities for treatment. Despite receiving on-scene medical treatment, Arbitelle succumbed to his injuries, state police said.
Officer Guss has been a police officer with the City of Danbury since 2006. She has received multiple Letters of Commendation and has received several awards, including the Exceptional Police Service Award in 2011 for her collaborative efforts in locating and arresting three felons, resulting in the recovery of stolen property.
She also received the Exceptional Police Service Award in 2012 for her handling of a volatile situation involving a female wielding a knife, and a Unit Citation in 2013 for her combined efforts in bringing into custody a dangerous felon who had committed numerous acts of violence against elderly victims.
Officer Relyea has been a police officer with the City of Danbury since 2014. He has received multiple commendations, including a Meritorious Citation in 2015 for arresting three juveniles involved in numerous burglaries, a Letter of Appreciation for going above and beyond with patrol checks at Tarrywile Park due to suspicious activity that resulted in two prostitution arrests, and a Unit Citation on 03/02/2017 for his actions resulting in the arrest of a male who had been threatening several people with a loaded firearm.
The incident remains under investigation by the State Police Western District Major Crime Squad.
Anyone who may have witnessed this event or who has information to share is encouraged to contact State Police Detectives at 203-267-2225.
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