Arrest Made In Manchester Officer-Involved Shooting, $1 Million Bond Set

MANCHESTER, CT — Manchester police Tuesday said they have charged 40-year-old Manchester resident Samuel Lee in connection with Saturday's officer-involved shooting on Interstate 84.

Police said investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Lee, who remained hospitalized Tuesday in the custody of the state Department of Corrections. Lee has been charged with criminal attempt at assault in the first degree, assault on public safety personnel, criminal possession of a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, interfering with police, driving while under suspension, reckless driving and the improper use of a marker plate.

Lee is being held on a $1 million court-set bond and has a hearing set for Nov. 12 in Manchester Superior Court.

In addition, Lee has six outstanding re-arrest warrants from various jurisdictions, police said.

The incident remains under investigation, police said.

The case unraveled Saturday at 1:42 a.m., when a Manchester police officer on routine patrol
initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of 335 Center St., according to an incident report. The driver initially stopped, but then fled the scene, according to an incident report.

As the vehicle approached the entrance to I-84 westbound from West Middle Turnpike, officers deployed stop sticks that successfully slowed the vehicle, but the driver continued westbound on the highway, according to an incident report.

While traveling on I-84, the driver began shooting at pursuing officers, according to an incident report.

A Manchester officer returned fire, striking both the vehicle and driver, according to an incident report.

The vehicle then came to a stop on the highway, where officers immediately rendered medical aid before the driver was transported to an area trauma hospital for further treatment, according to an incident report.

In accordance with state law, the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General has been notified and will assume responsibility for investigating the officer-involved shooting, police said.