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On Friday, Feb. 14, Wayne police encountered Connor Darpino, 34, when they responded to a single-car crash, where he was identified as the driver, Passaic County Prosecutor Camila M. Valdes in a new update Wednesday, March 12.
During that interaction, Darpino became argumentative and combative with officers, leading to his arrest and release from Wayne Police Headquarters after being charged on a summons complaint, the prosecutor said.
Later that night, just before 10 p.m., a 911 caller reported that a man had intentionally ingested approximately 20 Xanax pills, prompting another response from Wayne police, Valdes said.
When officers arrived at the home on White Birch Court, Darpino appeared on a second-floor balcony holding two swords and allegedly threatened officers, stating that he would jump down and stab them, according to Valdes. Darpino then retreated into a second-floor room and closed the door, leading officers to secure the perimeter and request additional support for a barricaded subject, the prosecutor said.
Shortly afterward, Darpino emerged from the second-floor room with swords in both hands, prosecutors said. Officers told Darpino to drop the weapons, but he refused and descended the stairs at a fast pace with the swords extended, according to officials.
At that point, Wayne Police Lieutenant Douglas Itjen fired his service weapon seven times, striking Darpino five times, the prosecutor said.
Officers immediately rendered aid, and Darpino was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center, where he was initially listed in critical but stable condition, prosecutors said.
Darpino has since been charged with multiple offenses, including:
- Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree)
- Terroristic Threats (Third Degree)
- Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (Two Counts, Fourth Degree)
- Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree)
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office was designated the independent prosecutor for this officer-involved shooting, and an investigation is ongoing.
Under Attorney General Directive 2019-4, the case will be presented to a grand jury to determine whether the officer’s use of deadly force was legally justified.
The body-worn camera footage of the incident has been made publicly available and can be viewed here. Officials warn that the footage contains graphic content.
Darpino's lawyer, Richard P. Lomurro, maintained that he was "a full staircase and floor" away from police when they entered his home. "Connor asked the police repeatedly to leave. Connor held antique swords, but could not reach anyone else in the house, including the officers," Lomurro said.
Officers told Connor to “chill out, you’re going to get tased," pointing a tase gun in his direction, Lomurro said. Connor then retreated to his bedroom and shut the door, according to his lawyer.
"He remained there for over 8 minutes without incident," the attorney said. "No one was in any immediate danger. His bedroom door remained shut. Connor indicated he did not wish [to] talk and asked the police to leave.
"The police did not leave. They remained inside of his home for the full 8 minutes. The officers failed to de-escalate the situation. They vocally strategized on how to tase Connor if he came back out of his room."
When Darpino did come out of his room, he was holding an antique sword, his attorney said.
"Despite strategizing how to tase Connor, no one did," Lomurro said. "Instead, a police officer, who was outside of the open front door repeatedly shot him on the staircase."
Lomurro maintains that officers who were inside the house and were closer to Darpino did not open fire or tase him, saying, "It is unclear why the officer who was outside decided to repeatedly shoot Connor, while no one else opened fire."
Darpino was shot seven times and taken to the hospital where he remained in critical condition, and has required multiple surgeries including a heart surgery, his attorney said. "He has severe and permanent injuries," Lomurro added.
Darpino is represented by Alissa D. Hascup and has pleaded not guilty to all charges, Lomurro said.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org.
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