Man with hatchet killed by police in Willimantic

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. (WTNH) -- An investigation is underway after police officers shot and killed a man wielding a hatchet.

"The officers did feel an immediate threat for their safety, as well as safety of other individuals in the area," said Sgt. Donna Tardiello, CT State Police.
 
It's not known why a Willimantic man was wielding a hatchet outside his apartment at the corner of Clark and Main streets around 8 Tuesday night, but police say the two officers called to the scene did what they could.

"We heard somebody arguing," said Angel Rosado, neighbor.

"They attempted, with the Taser, to deploy the Taser in his direction," said Sgt. Tardiello. "However, that was unsuccessful; the other officer was forced to discharge his weapon."

A fatal shot. The man died a short time later at Windham Hospital. Police aren't releasing his name yet, but a neighbor says the man had moved in just weeks ago.

"He didn't bother anybody," Rosado said. "These three weeks, four weeks, he's always kept to himself.  I never see him."

The neighbor News 8 talked to said he wasn't very familiar with the man, but what has been familiar to him in his time living there is police presence and the sound of gunshots.

"I've heard them before. This is not the first time," said Rosado. "This area's not too good at all."

The State Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating with help from the local department.