CT Trooper Charged Firing Service Weapon in Front of Kids

This blog post digs into the arrest of Connecticut State Police Trooper Edward Joshua Gookin, 37. He’s facing several criminal charges after two separate incidents in August.

One event involved the unlawful discharge of his service weapon inside a Griswold home while kids were around. The other stemmed from a domestic dispute.

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People across Griswold, Norwich, and plenty of other communities are talking. The case has everyone questioning accountability, public safety, and what we should expect from Connecticut law enforcement officers.

First Incident: Firearm Discharged in Griswold

Investigators say Trooper Gookin fired his service weapon inside a home in Griswold. A woman and two children were nearby at the time.

The bullet shot through the floor and landed in the basement. That could’ve ended badly for anyone in the area.

Evidence and Forensic Findings

The woman who was there found the bullet and gave it to police. Forensic tests matched it to Gookin’s state-issued firearm.

Gookin told investigators he was showing the gun to the kids when it accidentally went off. That explanation doesn’t line up with Connecticut police protocols—officers are never supposed to handle firearms like that, especially around children.

Charges from this incident include:
Unlawful discharge of a firearm
Two counts of risk of injury to a child
Three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment

The same day, Gookin crashed a department vehicle. Later, he signed out two 9 mm rounds, telling officials he needed them for “deer.” Investigators checked his service logs and didn’t find anything backing up that story.

Second Arrest: Domestic Violence Allegations

Just days after the shooting incident, police arrested Gookin again. This time, it was for a domestic violence altercation involving the same woman.

The court issued a protective order against him. That comes with some pretty strict rules.

Protective Order Terms

The order bans Gookin from having firearms or returning to the woman’s home. He’s allowed limited contact, but the main goal is to keep her safe and avoid more trouble.

Connecticut courts keep a close watch on these cases. Towns like Groton, New London, and Willimantic have seen similar situations with law enforcement before.

Community Reaction Across Connecticut

The news of a state trooper facing these charges has people talking everywhere—from Middletown and Hartford to smaller places like Plainfield and Windham.

Some folks are worried about officer accountability. Others remind everyone not to jump to conclusions until the courts do their job.

Police Response and Administrative Status

State Police officials say Gookin is on paid administrative duty while his legal cases move forward. Internal investigations are underway for both the firearm incident and the domestic dispute.

Law enforcement agencies are under pressure to show the public they’re handling this right.

Upcoming Court Date

Gookin is out on a $25,000 bond. He’s due back in Norwich Superior Court on January 7.

This case will probably keep turning heads—not just in southeastern Connecticut towns like Stonington and Ledyard, but across the state. A lot of people are watching to see what it means for officer conduct and public trust.

Potential Outcomes

Depending on what the court decides, Gookin might get anything from fines to jail time. His future with the state police also hangs in the balance, based on both the criminal case and what his department concludes.

This case really highlights the need for solid training and careful firearm handling. Professionalism matters, whether you’re on the job or off.

As people across Connecticut keep an eye on what happens next, it’s hard not to think about accountability. Even those who protect and serve have to meet the highest standards.

Public safety isn’t just about enforcing laws—it’s about making sure the enforcers actually follow them, from Bridgeport all the way up to Enfield.

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Here is the source article for this story: CT trooper charged in domestic violence case fired service weapon in front of kids, warrant says

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