PROSPECT, Conn. — The Office of Inspector General released its preliminary report into the fatal shooting by a Prospect police officer on Friday.
Michael Strenk, 48, was shot and killed after allegedly charging at the officer with a knife in his hand.
The cause of Strenk's death was determined to be a "gunshot wound to the head," according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The manner of death has been ruled as a homicide.
According to a police report, on Friday, Oct. 20 at around 4:55 p.m., Prospect police officers David Terni and Jonathan Slavin were called to the area of Merriman Lane in Prospect on a report of a possible disturbance.
When police arrived, they spoke to a neighbor who stated that he heard "suspicious noises" coming from within the residence on Merriman Lane and believed that there was some sort of disturbance occurring inside.
Slavin approached the back of the house while Terni approached the front. One of the front windows had been dislodged, which allowed an opening into the house. In a bodycam video released by investigators, Terni can be heard asking a woman inside the home what happened to the window.
"Mike did it," the woman told the office.
At that time, Strenk was seen opening a kitchen drawer and rummaging inside before removing a knife. Terni ordered Strenk to drop the knife. In the video, Strenk can be seen throwing the knife in the direction of Terni. It passed through the open window and missed the officer.
Strenk then allegedly charged Terni with another knife in his right hand. Terni fired two shots at Strenk, which caused fatal injuries, investigators said.
Emergency Medical Services pronounced Strenk dead at the scene.
This case remains under investigation by the Office of Inspector General, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad, and the Waterbury Judicial District State’s Attorney's Office
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