Hartford, CT – A Windsor police officer has been charged after firing his gun at a suspect when he intended to use his stun gun, the Office of the Inspector General reported.

The incident occurred shortly after 8:20 p.m. on January 30 near Keney Park. Officer Brandon Thomas was investigating a suspicious vehicle at the Tiger Mart gas station on Windsor Avenue. The 2008 Jeep Liberty Sport had a license plate registered to another vehicle and contained a bag of marijuana.

Two people left the convenience store and approached the SUV. When questioned, one suspect ran across the street into Keney Park. Thomas pursued him, warning, “Stop running, or I’m going to ****ing tase you.”

Instead of drawing his stun gun, Thomas mistakenly pulled his firearm and fired a shot. He immediately said, “Oh ****, I didn’t mean to do that.” The bullet missed, and the suspect was arrested.

The inspector general found Thomas’s claim that the shooting was accidental was inaccurate. Thomas deliberately pulled the trigger, confusing his gun for the stun gun.

Body camera footage confirmed the event. The suspect was charged with interfering with police and possession of a controlled substance.

Thomas was placed on limited duty after the shooting. The Office of the Inspector General deemed the use of deadly force unjustified and arrested Thomas on charges including unlawful discharge of a firearm and reckless endangerment.

Following the incident, Thomas underwent stun gun training, during which he again mistakenly reached for his firearm instead of the stun gun.

The case will now proceed through the courts.

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