Report Issued On Use-Of-Deadly-Force Investigation In Windsor; Arrest Made

WINDSOR, CT — An investigation into a use of deadly force situation involving a Windsor police officer in late January has concluded the policeman was not justified in his actions, resulting in the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.

Brandon Thomas, 33, had been a member of the Windsor Police Department for just under three years at the time of an incident on Jan. 30, 2025. Around 8:22 p.m., he spotted a 2008 Jeep Liberty Sport parked at the gas pumps of a Sunoco gas station at 160 Windsor Avenue. Upon checking, Thomas learned the marker plate on the Jeep came back to a different vehicle, according to a report from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

When two people exited the convenience store and walked toward the Jeep, Thomas approached them and asked about the misuse of marker plate. At that time, one of the two, later identified as Geovanni Nunez, ran away. Thomas chased Nunez across Windsor Avenue and into Keney Park, warning if he did not stop, he would be tased, the OIG report says.

When Nunez continued to flee, Thomas unholstered his actual firearm and fired one round at Nunez.

Nunez was not hit and subsequently was taken into custody, the OIG report says.

"I have determined that this use of deadly force was not justified," Inspector General Robert Devlin concluded. "Nunez posed no threat of harm to Officer Thomas. He was being pursued for misuse of a marker plate (an infraction) and interfering with an officer (a misdemeanor). There was no reasonable basis to use deadly force. Based on this, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has sought and obtained an arrest warrant charging Officer Thomas with Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm (§53-203) and Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree (§53a-64)."

Windsor police officials quickly issued a statement expressing disagreement with Devlin's conclusions.

"This was a mistake made in a high-stress, fast-evolving situation," Chief Donald Melanson said in a written statement. "The officer has served with the Windsor Police Department for just over three years and has no prior incidents involving questionable use of force. While we fully respect the role and authority of the Inspector General, we believe the facts in this case do not warrant an arrest or charges."

Melanson said Nunez was wanted on an active warrant from the Meriden Police Department for six
serious offenses, including five felonies involving violence and weapons: first-degree assault, criminal possession of a pistol or revolver, criminal use of a weapon, violation of a protective order, carrying a pistol without a permit and first-degree reckless endangerment.

"Thanks to the officer’s proactive police work, a dangerous fugitive was taken off the streets without harm to anyone," Melanson wrote. "The Windsor Police Department, along with law enforcement agencies across the state, is concerned about the broader implications of such decisions. Criminally charging officers for unintentional errors - particularly when no injury occurred - has a chilling effect on proactive policing. Officers would be hesitant to take decisive action for fear that a mistake under stress could cost them their careers - or their freedom. This also worsens recruitment and retention at a time when departments nationwide are struggling to maintain adequate staffing."

Melanson clarified the importance of accountability.

"Officers must be held responsible for their actions," the chief wrote. "But when there is no malice, no injury, and no history of misconduct, administrative discipline, retraining, and corrective action are often more effective and appropriate than criminal charges. Public trust is built not only through accountability, but through fairness, balance, and the ability to distinguish between willful wrongdoing and human error."