Police name officer who shot Norwich man

Norwich — State police have identified Officer Greg McDonald as the officer who shot a Norwich man Tuesday night after an altercation with police.

McDonald, a nine year veteran of the force, was placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard practice.

State police said three officers responded to 89 Oneco St. at 8:48 p.m. after receiving reports of three men in a physical dispute.

Police broke up the fight and two of the suspects - identified by Norwich police as Anthony Velasquez, 19, and Daniel Rivera, 20 - complied with officers’ orders. State police said Fernando Velasquez, the father of Anthony, refused to listen. The officers attempted to calm him, but he continued to be combative, Vance said.

Rivera, of 66 Jay St., New London, was charged with interfering with an officer. Anthony Velasquez, of 89 Oneco St., Norwich, was charged with assault on an officer, interfering with an officer and disorderly conduct. Velasquez assaulted the officers while they were trying to handcuff him, police said. McDonald’s gun discharged during the struggle.

The elder Velasquez underwent surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he was listed Thursday in good condition.

McDonald along with fellow officers Mark Dean and Chase Chiangi sought medical treatment of the William W. Backus Hospital.

Because it was an officer-involved shooting, state police have taken over the investigation.