State rules Middletown detective was justified in shooting man who attacked her with hammer

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH) — A Middletown detective was justified in shooting a man who attacked her with a hammer last year, according to a state report released on Wednesday.

Her use of deadly force was “objectively reasonable and justified under Connecticut law,” according to the report from Andrew Slitt, the supervisory assistant state’s attorney. The report adds that the man had a deadly weapon, that the detective attempted to deescalate the confrontation and that the detective “in no way created a situation triggering the use of deadly force.”

Bodycam video showed that Winston Tate charged at the detective with hammer after she responded to a Middletown home last August, and a “violent struggle ensued.”

Tate knocked her to the ground and hit her with a hammer. The detective shot at him multiple times, wounding him. In the report, the detective said that Tate tried taking her gun from her.

The detective fired eight shots during the attack, according to the report. He was out on probation for assaulting a public safety personnel at the time of the attack.

The detective shot herself in her left hand during the attack, was bruised and was treated for a concussion, according to the report. Tate was treated for gunshot wounds to his arm, upper back and abdomen. A blood test tested positive for alcohol and marijuana.

He’s been charged with attempt to commit first-degree assault, assault of public safety personnel and interfering with an officer. He remains held on bond.

Two 911 callers told dispatch that Tate was screaming and breaking glass in the driveway of his Liberty Street home, according to the report.

When questioned by investigators, Tate said that he didn’t want to speak without a lawyer, “and that his lawyer was Jesus Christ,” according to the report.

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