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Officer Shoots Man Still Attacking Victim With Bat
23 Jul
Summary
- Officer repeatedly ordered suspect to drop bat before firing.
- Suspect continued bludgeoning victim even after shots.
- Both suspect and victim died as a result of the encounter.
On July 19, a fatal encounter unfolded in Meriden, Connecticut, where a police officer was forced to open fire. Body camera footage released by the Connecticut Office of Inspector General depicts Meriden Officer Anthony Offiaeli arriving at a Sagamore Road residence.
Upon arrival, Officer Offiaeli discovered 38-year-old Robert Lee Jenkins III relentlessly bludgeoning a motionless man on the front lawn with a baseball bat. The officer repeatedly commanded Jenkins to drop the bat, but Jenkins continued his assault, delivering multiple blows to the victim.
Even after the officer discharged his firearm, Jenkins persisted in striking the victim with the bat. Additional shots were fired before Jenkins slowed and eventually collapsed. Investigators confirmed Jenkins died from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, while the victim succumbed to blunt force head injuries.
Both Jenkins and the victim were pronounced dead. The victim's identity remains undisclosed due to privacy laws in family violence cases. The incident is currently under investigation by multiple state and local agencies.
