Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that GARY RAY BRUNACHE, 35, of Norwich, has been charged by criminal complaint with federal assault offenses related to an incident that occurred last night at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, on November 13, 2014, BRUNACHE approached three Department of Defense Police Officers outside of Building 500 at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton and proceeded to swing a knife at one of the officers. After failing to comply with warnings from the officer, a second officer sprayed BRUNACHE with pepper spray in an effort to subdue him. BRUNACHE then turned on the second officer and stabbed him in his right thigh area. The first officer fired approximately three rounds from his service pistol at BRUNACHE as BRUNACHE was trying to stab the second officer. BRUNACHE, who was not hit by the rounds, was eventually subdued.

BRUNACHE is charged with assault of a federal officer, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the U.S., a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and is detained pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for November 19 at 12:00 p.m.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, Town of Groton Police Department and Norwich Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Robert M. Spector.