Bridgeport, Connecticut — On May 16, 2024, just before 6:00 a.m., several individuals called 911 to report that a man was on Birdseye Street in Bridgeport acting erratically, knocking on doors, and waving two large knives in the air. The Bridgeport Police Department dispatched several officers to 203 Birdseye Street, including Officer Colon and Officer Darryl Wilson, Jr. When Officer Colon arrived in his police cruiser, he saw, even before exiting his cruiser, 49-year-old Dale Stephenson in the middle of the street holding two knives. He called dispatch on his radio and asked for additional units to assist. At 6:01 a.m., Colon exited his vehicle and was standing approximately 60 feet from Stephenson.
Colon immediately attempted to engage with Stephenson by stating “Hey, brother!” Just as he did so, Officer Wilson pulled his cruiser alongside Colon’s cruiser. Before Officer Wilson could exit his cruiser, and before Colon had time to make any additional effort to speak to Stephenson, Stephenson began sprinting directly at Colon with a knife in each hand and raised over his head. As Stephenson charged at him, Colon yelled three times, “Don’t do it!” Officer Colon moved backwards, attempting to keep distance between himself and Stephenson, but Stephenson closed the distance very rapidly. Colon fired three rounds at Stephenson who was within five feet of him.
Stephenson suffered gunshot wounds to his left forearm and left leg. The officers provided Stephenson immediate medical aid, and he subsequently was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital for further medical treatment. He recovered from his wounds. According to hospital records, Stephenson spit at the medical staff at the hospital and he tested positive for cannabis and benzodiazepine use, the Office of Inspector General report says. Stephenson was charged with criminal attempt to commit assault and carrying a dangerous weapon. He has been released from custody and is due in court on Sept. 18. According to the report on the investigation, police found two knives with eight-inch blades near Colon’s cruiser and a sword with a 28-inch-long blade on Birdseye Street.
