Cop was right to shoot golf club wielding man
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Times Argus Staff
Times Argus Staff
Times Argus Staff - Published: June 29, 2009
BARRE – A Vermont State Police officer who shot a man in the hand in Bristol last fall was justified in his use of deadly force, the state's attorney general has determined.
Sgt. Stephen McNamara shot his gun twice at Charles Cantin during a confrontation on the top landing of a stairwell as Cantin was wielding a golf club, according to a news release from the Office of the Attorney General William Sorrell.
McNamara and two other officers had responded to a residence in Bristol after a complaint that Cantin was having mental health issues and was seeking to obtain a weapon.
Bristol police officer Ed Shepard, state police trooper Peter Dempsey and McNamara ascended the stairwell towards the second-floor apartment on North Street. When they reached the top, an agitated and non-compliant Cantin opened the door holding a golf club, the news release stated.
Dempsey pepper sprayed Cantin, who then swung the golf club at two of the officers, striking the wall and door frame.
McNamara believed that he and Dempsey were in danger of serious bodily injury or death and shot twice, striking Cantin in the hand, the news release stated.
Cantin was subsequently taken into custody and eventually charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and burglary and is being prosecuted by the Addison County State's Attorney.
Under the facts of this case, the Attorney General's Office concluded that Sgt. McNamara was reasonable in his belief that he was in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury when he fired at Charles Cantin who was swinging a golf club at his head in an enclosed space. Given the serious threat, McNamara's use of deadly force was reasonable and justified.
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