A Windsor police officer is facing criminal charges after an investigation concluded he mistakenly fired his service handgun at an unarmed, fleeing suspect, believing he was deploying his department-issued stun gun.

The incident occurred on the evening of January 30, 2025, after Officer Brandon Thomas, a two-year veteran of the force, attempted to apprehend 21-year-old Geovanni Nunez during a traffic stop involving misuse of a marker plate.

According to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report, Nunez fled from the officer on foot, leading Officer Thomas on a brief chase. Body-worn camera footage reportedly captured Officer Thomas shouting, “Stop running or I’m going to fucking tase you.” However, he unholstered his firearm and discharged one round. The shot missed Nunez, who was subsequently taken into custody.

Immediately after the shot, the bodycam footage reportedly captured Officer Thomas expressing distress and stating, “Oh shit, I didn’t mean to do that,” followed by a later denial to the suspect that he had fired a gun, claiming only to have used his Taser.

The OIG’s investigation found that the use of deadly force was not justified. The report concluded that Mr. Nunez, who was being pursued for an infraction and a misdemeanor, “posed no threat of harm to Officer Thomas.”

In light of the findings, the OIG sought and obtained an arrest warrant. Officer Thomas has been charged with Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm and Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree.

The Windsor Police Department issued a statement acknowledging the “mistake made in a high-stress, fast-evolving situation” and has placed the officer on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings and an internal affairs review.

Report Regarding the Use of Deadly Force by the Windsor Police department on January 30,2025.