Officer shoots his daughter, mistaking her for an intruder, after she snuck out

**Terminator** · 05-30-07, 03:12 PM

STRATFORD, Conn. -- An off-duty New Haven police officer shot and wounded his 18-year-old daughter, apparently mistaking her for an intruder after she sneaked out of their Stratford home and re-entered through the basement.

Eric Scott, 41, on the New Haven force for nine years, has not been charged.

"Mr. Scott was under the impression his daughter had gone to bed for the night," town police Capt. Thomas Rodia said in a statement. "He did not expect his daughter to be outside or down in the basement."

Stratford police said Tasha Scott left her home some time late Monday to meet a boyfriend. She activated a backyard motion sensor light as she tried to enter through a basement door.

Awakened by the light, Eric Scott took his department-issued pistol, found a rear door open that he had locked earlier, then spotted someone a person moving in the basement bathroom, police said. He fired once, shooting the teen in the knee. The bullet traveled up her leg and lodged in her thigh area, police said.

Her father called 911 when he realized who he had shot, police said.

Tasha Scott was taken to Bridgeport Hospital where she underwent surgery, and was listed in critical but stable condition Wednesday morning, the hospital said.

Stratford police said results of their investigation into the shooting will be turned over to Bridgeport State's Attorney Jonathan Benedict for review.

Eric Scott has been on leave from his job since being struck by a truck while on duty in November.

New Haven police spokeswoman Bonnie Posick said that because Scott is out of work on injured status, there was no need to take any administrative action after the shooting.

**iso607** · 05-30-07, 07:58 PM

That sucks, I hope she turns out to be OK.

On a lighter side I bet she'll think twice about sneeking out to see her boyfriend again.

**conalabu** · 05-30-07, 08:02 PM

18and still sneaking out? huh. In any case, I hope this all works out for both of them. Can't be easy on the mind of either.

**countybear** · 05-31-07, 03:44 AM

Tragic.

**Coloradocop** · 05-31-07, 04:01 AM

Never like to hear stories like this. Sad, really.

**Hawk1** · 05-31-07, 05:16 AM

Not a good story. Note to self..'check target before discharging'

**Trojan 42** · 05-31-07, 02:10 PM

No comment.

**k-9max** · 05-31-07, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Hawk1

Not a good story. Note to self..'check target before discharging'

took the words out of my mouth.

What about "Police, put your hands up".
never heard of shoot then speak., always know your target.

nevertheless, hope all is ok, for the all involved.

**snuffy2202** · 05-31-07, 05:34 PM

+1

**Standard Dave** · 06-02-07, 10:32 AM

Her father called 911 when he realized who he had shot, police said.

I would hope having shot someone you might call 911 regardless of who it was.

The price to pay for having that option I suppose, I hope she is ok.

**slick628** · 06-02-07, 12:56 PM

whoops

**General Patten** · 06-02-07, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by k-9max

What about "Police, put your hands up".
never heard of shoot then speak., always know your target.

+1

**BEK** · 06-02-07, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Standard Dave

I would hope having shot someone you might call 911 regardless of who it was.

WELLLL..... Ya but sometimes i dont remember where i put my phone... just sayin if it was chester chester child molester. My phones can be REALLY hard to find and if i shot him i would be calling the coroner not 911