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Norwalk Police: Darien High Coach Tasered After Assaulting Cop In Arrest

NORWALK, Conn. – A Darien High School football and lacrosse coach was accused of kicking a female police officer during an arrest on suspicion of drunken driving in Norwalk early Thursday, police said.

Christian Garnett, 32, was charged with assault on a police officer and driving under the influence Thursday morning by Norwalk Police.

Christian Garnett, 32, was charged with assault on a police officer and driving under the influence Thursday morning by Norwalk Police.

Photo Credit: Norwalk Police

A Norwalk officer pulled over a car on Connecticut Avenue at about 12:40 a.m. Thursday, police said. One of the car’s rear tires was missing, causing the car to swerve and make noise as it traveled down the street, according to the police report.

Christian Garnett, 32, with a listed address of Strawberry Hill Avenue in Stamford, was driving the car and told the officer he was “almost home,” police said. He appeared intoxicated and did not know he was missing a tire, according to the officer’s report.

When asked to perform three field sobriety tests, Garnett failed two and refused to attempt the third, according to police reports.

When told he would be arrested, he balled up his fists and swung his arms, police said. Officers pinned him to the ground, with Officer Michelle McSally on top of his legs, police said. Garnett spun around while on the ground, entangling her legs in his, and kicked her as he spun around, according to the police report.

Backup officers struck Garnett in the face and side to subdue him, police said. Two officers then fired their Tasers at Garnett after he did not stop struggling, according to the police report. He continued to verbally argue with officers and Norwalk Hospital staff when he was taken for treatment, police said.

Police later found a metal grinder and two pipes with marijuana residue in Garnett’s car, along with syringes and insulin, according to the police report. The items were all seized, police said.

Garnett identified himself as a football coach at Darien High School, according to the police report. Garnett is an assistant for the Blue Wave football team and was the head coach of the junior varsity lacrosse team last spring.

Garnett was charged with assault on a police officer, interfering with police, driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released after posting $10,000 bond Thursday morning.

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