Derby Police Officer In Shooting Of Armed Suspect Identified

DERBY, CT — Derby Police Officer Patrick Foley, 35, a 13-year veteran of the department, has been identified as the officer who shot and wounded suspect Cornelius McCollough during an incident early Monday.

Foley remains under investigation for his use of force in the shooting, which is being conducted by Danbury State's Attorney Stephen J. Sedensky III. On Wednesday, Sedensky released a one-page preliminary report of the Monday morning shooting, which did not draw any conclusions.

"Preliminary information collected by the Connecticut State Police indicates that after an initial interaction, the armed Mr. McCollough fired his handgun," Sedensky wrote. "Officer Foley fired his own handgun, injuring Mr. McCollough. Mr. McCollough was taken to Bridgeport Hospital and is recovering from his injury. An apparently unrelated passing car was struck by Mr. McCollough’s gunfire. The occupant of that car was not injured. A revolver, not belonging to Officer Foley, was recovered from the scene."

Video of the incident is not available, because Derby police officers are not outfitted with body cameras, nor do their vehicles have dashboard cameras, according to Sedensky, adding that Foley is white, and McCollough is Black.

McCollough was arrested on weapons charges following his release from the hospital. Toxicology test results from McCollough have not yet been determined.

Sedensky did not offer a time frame for when the investigation will conclude.