Donald Passmore, a 62-year-old Wallingford, Connecticut resident, was fatally shot by two Wallingford police officers inside his home in the early morning hours of October 16, 2023, after he had already shot himself in the face and, according to investigators, later pointed a loaded revolver at the officers. In January 2025, Connecticut’s Office of the Inspector General concluded that Officers Gordon McCaskill and Robert Bellucci’s use of deadly force was “objectively reasonable and justified.”1NBC Connecticut. Police Officers Found Justified in Shooting That Killed Man in Wallingford
What Happened Inside the House
At about 2:37 a.m., Wallingford police received a 911 call reporting that a man had shot himself in the face at 132 North Airline Road.2Connecticut Office of Inspector General. Preliminary Status Report – Wallingford Officer-Involved Shooting When McCaskill and Bellucci arrived, Passmore’s girlfriend told them he had shot himself in their bedroom.3WTNH. Wallingford Police Officers Justified in October 2023 Fatal Shooting, Inspector General Reports
The officers went in, announced themselves, and asked where the gun was. They found Passmore on the bed with a .22 caliber revolver next to him.1NBC Connecticut. Police Officers Found Justified in Shooting That Killed Man in Wallingford For roughly the next nine minutes, they tried to talk him down, repeatedly telling him to raise his hands and not to touch the firearm. At one point Passmore told them to lower their flashlights; an officer answered that the only light on was pointed at the floor.3WTNH. Wallingford Police Officers Justified in October 2023 Fatal Shooting, Inspector General Reports
According to the Inspector General’s final report, Passmore told the officers, “One of you is gonna go,” then grabbed the revolver and pointed it at them.4WFSB. Report: Wallingford Officers Justified in Deadly Shooting At 2:54 a.m., the officers shouted “Don’t touch the gun!” and “Put your right hand up!” and fired approximately ten rounds.2Connecticut Office of Inspector General. Preliminary Status Report – Wallingford Officer-Involved Shooting Body camera footage showed Passmore’s right arm out of frame when shots were fired; his left hand appeared to be raised.3WTNH. Wallingford Police Officers Justified in October 2023 Fatal Shooting, Inspector General Reports
Officers rendered aid until paramedics arrived. Passmore was taken to MidState Medical Center in Meriden and pronounced dead at 3:37 a.m. The Chief Medical Examiner certified the cause of death as gunshot wounds to the torso and classified the manner as homicide, a medical-legal term for death caused by another person rather than a criminal finding.2Connecticut Office of Inspector General. Preliminary Status Report – Wallingford Officer-Involved Shooting
The Justified Ruling
Connecticut General Statutes § 51-277a requires the Inspector General to investigate every use of deadly force by a peace officer and decide whether it was justifiable under § 53a-22, the state’s law-enforcement use-of-force statute.5Justia. Connecticut General Statutes § 51-277e Inspector General Robert J. Devlin Jr. led the review.2Connecticut Office of Inspector General. Preliminary Status Report – Wallingford Officer-Involved Shooting
The final report, released January 10, 2025, more than a year after the shooting, concluded: “I have determined that Officers Bellucci and McCaskill used deadly force to defend themselves from what they reasonably believed to be a threat of serious injury or death. Accordingly, I find such use of force to be objectively reasonable and justified.”1NBC Connecticut. Police Officers Found Justified in Shooting That Killed Man in Wallingford Both officers had been placed on administrative leave after the shooting. As of January 2025, WTNH said it had asked for an update on their employment status and received no response.3WTNH. Wallingford Police Officers Justified in October 2023 Fatal Shooting, Inspector General Reports
How the Family Responded
Passmore’s family waited more than a year for the ruling. His daughter, Krystal Passmore, told CT Insider in late 2024, “What we do every day is just trying to make sense of it all,” and said her father “deserves answers.” She said the case had given her family a “newfound distrust towards officers.”6CT Insider. Donald Passmore Investigation: Family Speaks
His sister, Susan Passmore-Cone, said the wait had reshaped her daily life: “I can’t keep living like this. It’s pretty much stopped my life. I used to go out a lot more. I very seldom go out anymore.” She said she called the Inspector General’s office monthly for updates. The family tried to obtain full body camera footage, 911 recordings, and witness statements while the investigation was open, but said most requests were denied on that basis. Krystal Passmore also said she hoped the case would push police to change how they respond to mental health crisis calls.6CT Insider. Donald Passmore Investigation: Family Speaks
Who Donald Passmore Was
Donald Edward Passmore was born April 5, 1961, in Meriden, Connecticut, and graduated from Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford. He worked for years as a heavy equipment operator and spent 18 years as Director of Operations at Snow Pros, LLC. His obituary described him as a “kindhearted but stubborn man” who was “always willing to give his time, and help others no matter his circumstance.” He is survived by his daughter Krystal, a grandson, four siblings, and extended family.7Wallingford Funeral Home. Obituary: Donald E. Passmore