Inspector general probing shots fired by US marshal during attempted arrest

The state inspector general has started an investigation into the Jan. 13 use of force by a deputy U.S. marshal in New Haven, according to a statement.

The incident involving gunfire occurred at about 11:30 a.m. Jan. 13 at or near 35 Wheeler St. according to the statement from the office of Inspector General Robert J. Devlin Jr.

There were no injuries as a result of the gunfire, according to the statement.

According to the release, members of a Fugitive Task Force had active felony arrest warrants for Marvin Owens, of Bridgeport. Then, at about 11:30 a.m. Jan. 13, Owens entered a parking lot near 35 Wheeler St., New Haven driving a white box truck.

Task force members, including, Deputy U.S. Marshal James Masterson, drove into the parking lot, got out of their vehicles and approached Owens with the intent to take him into custody on the active warrants, the statement said.

“Disregarding the officers’ commands, Owens got back into the white truck and started driving out of the parking lot,” the statement said. “The Task Force Officers pursued on foot for a short distance. It was during this time that Deputy United States Marshal Masterson fired five shots in the direction of the truck.”

Owens continued to flee in the truck, drove to Bridgeport, and was apprehended after a collision with another vehicle, according to the statement.

The Inspector General is examining whether the use of force by Masterson was justified under Connecticut law, according to the statement. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Western District Major Crime Squad is investigating the incident.

The Task Force officers were not wearing body-worn cameras at the time of the incident and their vehicles were not equipped with dashboard cameras, according to the statement. Investigators found private security cameras on a building adjacent to the parking lot where the shooting occurred, according to the statement.