A harrowing incident unfolded in Middletown, Connecticut, when a policewoman was viciously assaulted by a man wielding a hammer. The episode took place on a residential street on Saturday, August 12, after a complaint about noise and broken glass was lodged. Detective Karli Travis, who serves in the Middletown Police Cadet Program and the patrol division, was the first to respond.
Upon reaching the scene, Travis encountered Winston Tate, a 52-year-old man brandishing a blunt object. Body camera footage captured the chilling moment when Tate charged at Travis with a hammer, shouting at her while she repeatedly urged him to drop the weapon.
Chief Eric McCallister of the Middletown Police Department, during a press conference on Tuesday, August 15, commended Travis for her calm demeanor as she asked Tate to put down the hammer. Despite her repeated pleas, Tate refused to comply.
The situation took a violent turn when Travis called for backup. The body camera footage shows Tate charging at her, leading to a violent confrontation. Despite her attempts to distance herself from Tate, he continued his assault. In self-defense, Travis drew her handgun and fired multiple shots at Tate.
Authorities reported that Travis was in a life-threatening situation as Tate continued his assault with the hammer. After firing additional rounds, Tate retreated into his residence. Backup officers arrived shortly after, surrounded the house, and promptly arrested Tate.
Both Tate and Travis were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Travis, who sustained minor injuries from the hammer attack, was discharged later that evening. Chief McCallister lauded her actions as an “extreme act of heroism.”
Tate, who remained under police custody at the hospital, was served with an arrest warrant. He faces charges of criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault, second-degree assault, assault on public safety personnel, and interfering with police. He is held on a $500,000 bond and is due in court on October 3. The inspector general’s office is currently investigating the shooting.