Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastroianni said lots of recent investigations into deaths regarding police slowed his progress probing an accidental shooting of a civilian in Agawam by one of that city's police officers.
This was the scene at Elizabeth Manor Apartments at 238 Maple St. in Agawam May 5 when police accidentally shot Britteny Miles while responding to a domestic call.SPRINGFIELD – Hampden County District Attorney Mark Mastroianni said Friday that he has completed his probe of a May 5 accidental shooting in Agawam by a member of that city’s Police Department and that resulted in injury to a civilian.
Mastroianni said he expects to reduce his findings, including whether any charges should be filed against the police officer, to writing next week.
The district attorney said he has taken so long to complete his investigation of the Agawam shooting because his office has had a number of similar probes involving police officers on its plate.
He said they include the investigation into the death of Westfield Police Officer Jose Torres, who was struck by a truck July 26 while working on a traffic detail on Pontoosic Road in Westfield and a probe into the death of Springfield Police Officer Kevin Ambrose, who was shot while responding to a domestic call June 4 in Springfield. Also, he said his office had to look into an April 13 incident in Chicopee that involved the shooting of a state trooper and the suicide of Carlos Gonzalez-Lauger after a two-hour standoff with police while holding his former girlfriend and their young son hostage.
Most recently, his office has had to launch a probe into alleged voter fraud in East Longmeadow, Mastroianni pointed out.
All those cases involve extensive review, according to Mastroianni, who said, “I certainly do my best to do as thorough a review as possible.”
Meanwhile, the Agawam police officer, Danielle Petrangelo, remains on paid administrative leave pending any recommendations Mastroianni makes, according to Agawam Police Lt. Richard Light and Mayor Richard A. Cohen.
A second officer, Thomas L. Forgues, who responded to the disturbance at Elizabeth Manor apartments with Petrangelo, was initially placed on administrative leave as well, but was soon returned to active duty.
Britteney MilesPetrangelo and Forgues responded to a call, received shortly before 4:30 a.m. reporting a break-in and possible domestic disturbance at the apartment complex, according to city police. While the officers were outside the dwelling they could hear yelling and the breaking of glass, a press released issued directly after the shooting stated.
Petrangelo’s weapon discharged and struck 21-year-old Britteny Miles upon police gaining entry to the apartment, according to the press release.
Miles, who suffered a shattered jaw and underwent surgery, would require numerous additional surgeries her attorney, Frank E. Flannery, told The Republican shortly after the shooting. Flannery, who acts as spokesman for the victim, could not be reached for comment.