AGAWAM - The 21-year-old woman who was accidentally shot by a police officer responding to a reported domestic disturbance at her apartment on May 5 suffered a shattered jaw and faces numerous additional surgeries, her lawyer said.
Springfield lawyer Frank E. Flannery identified the injured woman as Britteney Miles in a press release issued Tuesday. Flannery said he is representing Miles.
The nature of the woman’s injuries make it difficult for her to communicate but she intends to cooperate fully with Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastroianni’s investigation, Flannery said.
Flannery said that Miles intends to issue a statement to the media after the investigation “so that she may address a number of apparent misconceptions about the incident. In the meantime, we ask that members of the press respect the privacy of Ms. Miles and her family.”
Investigators have identified the police officer who accidentally shot Miles while responding to a domestic disturbance at Elizabeth Manor Apartments as Officer Danielle Petrangelo.
Petrangelo is an 11-year-veteran of the force, according to a release issued last Thursday by Agawam police
Petrangelo and Officer Thomas L. Forgues, who also responded to the apartment at 238 Maple St., are both on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation, according to the release.
The police department release states that Petrangelo and Forgues responded to a call, made shortly before 4:30 a.m., regarding a breaking and entry and possible domestic disturbance. While they were outside the apartment, yelling and glass breaking could be heard from inside the apartment, the release states.
“As police entry was being made, the weapon of Officer Danielle Petrangelo was discharged. The bullet struck a female party within the apartment causing a non-fatal injury,” police said.
The suspect who apparently prompted the call for police assistance fled out the back door and has since been located by police, according to the release. That person has not been arrested, Lt. Richard Light said today.
Robert Connell, who identified himself as the victim’s uncle, has said she is pregnant and the mother of two.
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