HARTFORD, Conn — A shooting by a Manchester police officer that injured a man last July has been ruled justified by the Office of the Inspector General on Wednesday.
"I have determined that Officer Ouellete’s use of deadly force was based on her belief that she faced an imminent knife attack from Diloreto. I have further determined that such belief would be shared by a reasonable police officer in the same circumstances. Accordingly, I find the use of deadly force to be objectively reasonable and justified," concluded Robert Devlin, from the Office of the Inspector General.
According to police, Manchester police Officer Haylee Ouellette responded to a home in the area of North Main Street around 6:39 p.m. for a report of a domestic disturbance.
When she arrived at the home, Ouellette was confronted by Joseph Diloreto, who police said was holding a knife and became belligerent toward the officer.
Police said Diloreto advanced at Ouellette, who can be seen in body camera footage putting her hand out to stop him. Diloreto is seen slapping the officer’s hand away and yelling “Shoot me.”
A portion of the body camera video can be seen here.
In the video, Ouellette is then seen using her stun gun to “neutralize” Diloreto, but failed, police said.
According to officials, Ouellette moved outside of the home to a nearby courtyard while repeatedly telling Diloreto to drop the knife. Diloreto disregarded her commands and continued to move toward the officer.
He can be heard in the body camera footage yelling “Hit me, hit me, hit me.”
As he continued to advance toward her, Ouellette fired her handgun multiple times, striking Diloreto in the upper left thigh. He fell to the ground and Ouellette was able to get the knife and handcuff him.
Diloreto was charged with threatening, criminal attempt to commit assault, and assault of public safety personnel.
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