Colorado Springs officer justified in shooting of domestic violence suspect

The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office ruled that a Colorado Springs police officer was justified when he shot a domestic violence suspect in February near Penrose Hospital.

Officer Vijay Seenath was called to a home near 2400 N. Cascade Avenue for a report that a woman was being threatened by Dennis Caldarelli. When police responded, Caldarelli verbally threatened them and said he had firearms in his house, according to a news release.

The officers moved their car, called for backup and tried to convince Caldarelli to surrender. Caldarelli then charged at the officers carrying an object that looked like a gun, according to the DA’s office, and Seenath fired at him. The object turned out to be a hammer.

Caldarelli was hit once and has since recovered from his injuries.

The DA’s office said the Seenath acted reasonably and used appropriate force “to defend himself … from what he believes to be the imminent use of deadly physical force.”

Caldarelli is being held in the El Paso County Jail and was booked for Intimidation of a Witness or Victim and False Imprisonment.