KILLINGLY — Connecticut State Police are reviewing force used by a trooper and a Killingly officer during an August 25 arrest, according to Journal Inquirer reporting republished by The Day on October 19.
The report identifies the officers as Trooper Abigail O’Connor and Killingly Officer Paul McElroy. Shane Connolly, 33, and his mother, Nancy, face interfering/resisting-arrest charges. Charges are not convictions.
The newspaper describes video showing repeated punches to Connolly’s upper leg as officers put him in a cruiser. Connolly alleges unlawful detention, excessive force and pepper-spray exposure. He was taken for hospital treatment, according to the report.
McElroy’s report, quoted by the newspaper, gives a different account: Connolly resisted detention, and officers used spray after commands and strikes proved ineffective. It says his mother interfered with the cruiser door.
The newspaper says state police confirmed an active internal review; neither officer responded to its comment requests. No review finding or civil judgment is established by that report.
Eastern CT News has not independently viewed the video, police reports or court files.