A recent report by the state’s Office of the Inspector General has deemed Detective Karli Travis’s actions as justified when she shot and wounded Winston Tate, who viciously attacked her with a hammer in Middletown last year. According to Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew J. Slitt and Inspector General Robert Devlin, Detective Travis fired her service weapon at Tate on August 12, 2023, injuring him in the shoulder, hand, and elbow.
The incident unfolded when police responded to a call in the 100 block of Liberty Street in Middletown around 6:30 a.m., reporting that Tate was causing a disturbance by smashing glass in a driveway and screaming. Upon arrival, Detective Travis was met with a terrifying onslaught as Tate charged at her and struck her with the hammer.
The report’s conclusion was clear: “Detective Travis reacted reasonably to defend herself. Accordingly, I conclude that under the circumstances presented, Detective Travis’ use of deadly force was justified.” This assessment shines a light on the dangerous nature of the encounter, as Tate posed a significant threat to Detective Travis’s safety with the hammer.
In a chilling 30-second clip captured by a body camera, Tate can be seen attacking Detective Travis with the hammer as she repeatedly implored him to cease his assault.
During her interview with Devlin’s office, Detective Travis recounted the experience of fearing for her life as Tate tried to gain control of her firearm during the confrontation. Despite the injuries she sustained, including a concussion and bruising to various parts of her body, Travis displayed remarkable composure and professionalism in defending herself against the violent attacker.
As the encounter escalated, a witness intervened by shouting profanities at Tate, diverting his attention long enough for Detective Travis to reposition herself to safety. The chaos came to an end when Tate, ignoring commands from police, retreated back into his residence before being apprehended when he emerged wounded from a basement door.
The aftermath of the incident saw Tate facing serious charges, including attempted first-degree assault and second-degree assault, with bail set at $1 million.