UPDATE | Drive uninjured when Weathersfield cop opens fire after van strikes cruiser

NILES — A Weathersfield police officer opened fire on the driver of a van as it headed toward him and another Weathersfield officer Monday night on West Park Avenue in Weathersfield Township just west of Waddell Park.

The gunfire did not injure the driver, Edward J. Kitt, 59, of Parkway Drive, but Kitt suffered minor injuries and was taken into custody. The two officers, who have not been identified, were not injured.

Kitt was due to be released from the Trumbull County jail this morning after posting $7,500 bond following his arraignment in Niles Municipal Court on a charge of felonious assault. He also was found to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which investigated the incident.

He is not charged with a drunken-driving offense, but additional charges may be forthcoming, court officials said. No plea was required on the felonious assault charge. He returns to court at 9:15 a.m. April 1.

The OSP Southington Post reported that the incident began at 9:17 p.m., as the officers were conducting a traffic stop on West Park just east of Parkway Drive.

“While they were outside of their patrol cars, conducting business with the driver, they observed a van, traveling westbound, approaching their cars. The van struck the rear of one of their patrol cars and then continued, without stopping,” the patrol said in a press release.

“As the van continued in their direction, the officers stated that the driver of the van nearly struck one of the officers, forcing him to jump out of the path of the van. The other officer opened fire on the van.”

The incident remains under investigation, according to the patrol, which also investigated another shooting involving Weathersfield officers last year — that one involving a fatality.