A Connecticut police officer repeatedly ordered a man to drop a baseball bat before firing, as captured in newly released body camera footage. The incident on July 19 in Meriden resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
Meriden Officer Anthony Offiaeli responded to a home on Sagamore Road and found Robert Lee Jenkins III striking a man who was lying motionless on the front lawn with a baseball bat, according to the Connecticut Office of Inspector General's preliminary report.
"Put the f---ing bat down!" the officer is heard shouting repeatedly in the body camera footage while aiming his firearm at Jenkins. The officer also radioed for backup, requesting responding officers to "step it up."
As Officer Offiaeli advanced, Jenkins swung the baseball bat downward multiple times, appearing to strike the victim on the ground with each blow. The officer fired multiple shots, but Jenkins continued his assault. Additional rounds were fired before Jenkins slowed his actions and eventually collapsed.
The inspector general's preliminary report states that Offiaeli ordered Jenkins to drop the bat four times before opening fire. The victim of the assault was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released due to Connecticut law protecting victims' identities in family violence cases.
Jenkins, 38, received medical treatment at the scene and was transported to Hartford Hospital, where he later died. An autopsy determined his death was caused by multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. The victim's cause of death was blunt force head injuries, also ruled a homicide. Toxicology results and Jenkins' death certificate were pending.
Meriden Police Chief Roberto Rosado stated following the shooting that the incident underscored the dangers of police work and that there was no ongoing threat to the public.
The Connecticut Office of Inspector General, Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad, the Meriden Police Department, and the New Haven Judicial District State's Attorney's Office are continuing their investigations into the encounter.