The Connecticut State Police have released the names of the officers involved in the recent shooting that took place in Danbury.

According to a press release from the CSP, Danbury Officers Regina Guss and Alex Relyea arrived at the Housing Authority-managed Glen Apartment complex on Memorial Drive at round 9:15 PM after a call that a possibly intoxicated, unwanted person was on the premises, causing a disturbance.

Police say that 45-year-old Paul Arbitelle of Danbury, who was reportedly not supposed to be on the property, brandished a large knife. When he was ordered to drop the weapon multiple times, Arbitelle refused. At that point, police say Officer Guss attempted to use her taser, but that did not stop him, and he continued to make a move towards both of the responding officers. That is when officer Relyea reportedly fired his duty pistol, shooting the knife-wielding Arbitelle three times in order to protect themselves and any one else in the vacinity.

During the confrontation, a female tenant, who is also a relative of Paul Arbitelle, also suffered a gunshot wound, as she was in close range of the shooting. Both people were rushed to Danbury Hospital, where Arbitelle was pronounced deceased.

The State Police released the following information about the officers involved in the incident:

  • Officer Guss has been a police officer with the City of Danbury since 12/11/2006. She has received multiple Letters of Commendation, and has received several awards, including the Exceptional Police Service Award on 07/18/2011 for her collaborative efforts in locating & arresting 3 felons, resulting in the recovery of stolen property, the Exceptional Police Service Award on 06/04/2012 for her handling of a volatile situation involving a female wielding a knife, and a Unit Citation on 09/07/2013 for her combined efforts in bringing into custody a dangerous felon who had committed numerous acts of violence against elderly victims.
  • Officer Alex Relyea has been a police officer with the City of Danbury since 08/06/2014. He has received multiple commendations, including a Meritorious Citation on 03/29/2015 for arresting three juveniles involved in numerous burglaries, a Letter of Appreciation for going above & beyond with patrol checks at Tarrywile Park due to suspicious activity that resulted in two prostitution arrests, and a Unit Citation on 03/02/2017 for his actions resulting in the arrest of a male who had been threatening several people with a loaded firearm.

Since the shooting remains under investigation by the State Police Western District Major Crime Squad, it is asked that anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information to share is encouraged to contact State Detectives at 203-267-2225.

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