Investigator Makes Ruling On Police Fatal Shooting In Stonington

STONINGTON, CT — The state Office of Inspector General has found that police were justified in the fatal shooting of a man in Stonington in 2023, according to an investigation report. A police K9 officer named Broko also died in the incident.

The State Police Violent Crime Task Force arrived at the home of Vaughn Malloy, 42, on Mechanic Street in Pawcatuck on Dec. 21, 2023.

Police had an arrest warrant for Malloy, who was wanted on first-degree assault and related charges connected to the shooting of a woman in Norwich.

Police ordered Malloy to come out of the home. He didn't, and the State Police Tactical Unit forced the door open using an extended ram on an armored vehicle.

Shortly after the door was forced open, Malloy left using a rear door. Police in the backyard saw Malloy had a pistol and ordered him to stop. He didn't and fled eastbound onto Mechanic Street.

A K9 chased Malloy and police fired two less-than-lethal rounds at Malloy. He fell to the ground and "was engaged by the canine," according to an initial report from the inspector's office.

Malloy then fired several rounds at the police dog and at troopers, striking a police vehicle and killing the K9, the report said.

Four officers then returned fire, striking Malloy several times. He later died due to his injuries.

Police recovered a gun at the spot where Malloy fell, according to the report.

The Office of the Inspector General provided the following analysis of the shooting:

"It is sad that this incident resulted in the death of Vaughn Malloy and State Police K9 Broko. I attribute this to Malloy’s desperate efforts to avoid arrest.

"The Connecticut State Police Tactical Unit had responsibility to arrest Malloy on a lawfully issued warrant charging him with a violent crime. Their initial approach was to try to convince Malloy to surrender. When Malloy fled and ran across Mechanic Street, they pivoted to less-lethal force in the form of 40mm foam tipped impact rounds and deployment of a K9. It was only when Malloy fired his weapon that the troopers returned fire.

"Malloy’s actions in firing a gun multiple times posed a threat of serious injury or death to all troopers on scene. In their statements, the four troopers who fired their weapons expressed their perception of this threat and their belief that it posed a grave risk of harm. This was reasonable because a reasonable police officer in the same circumstances would share that same belief. Accordingly, I find that their use of deadly force was justified."