Trial Set For Man Killed By Milford Police Officer

MILFORD, MA - A trial date has been set for a lawsuit against the Milford Police Department in the shooting of a Milford man.

In April 2020, Milford officer Jeanne Van Patten-Steiger shot Philip Castonguay, 40, twice in the chest near his home along Glines Avenue. According to a Worcester County District Attorney's Office report, Van Patten-Steiger was at Castonguay's apartment to take him into custody for involuntary commitment.

Now, according to case dockets, a trial date is set for the lawsuit filed by Viviane Ptak, Castonguay's mother. On Oct. 27 at 9 a.m., a judge will preside over the case.

Ptak is suing on 14 charges, including Assault, Wrongful Death, Failure to Train in regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act, Negligence and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.

The suit alleges tactical mistakes violating the police department's own policies. The suit also highlights Van Patten-Steiger's history of disciplinary actions, specifically a citizen complaint accusing her of acting "out of proportion" to the incident.

"In the moments leading up to his last breaths, Philip laid in his driveway gasping for air while no fewer than five Milford police officers stood by and did nothing as he laid dying on the ground," the lawsuit says.

According to the lawsuit, Castonguay grew up in Worcester and Grafton, began experiencing mental health problems in high school and was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He also had extreme eyesight impairment and struggled with alcoholism.

An argument with a neighbor caused the police visit that resulted in Castonguay's death. Full details of the incident can be found at this Patch article linked here.