New London state’s attorney overseeing probe of officer-involved shooting in West Haven.

New London State’s Attorney Michael L. Regan is overseeing the investigation into a recent officer-involved shooting that killed a 19-year-old New Haven man.

Connecticut State Police Trooper Brian North shot Soulemane Murbarak in West Haven on the night of Jan. 15 after Murbarak allegedly stole a car in Norwalk and led police on a high-speed chase. State police said North opened fire when Murbarak “displayed” a knife.

The New London state’s attorney office’s investigation will determine whether the shooting was justified. State law requires that officer-involved shootings be investigated by state’s attorneys and police from a different jurisdiction than where the incident occurred, to avoid a conflict of interest or the appearance of one.

Regan initially had asked the state police Central District Major Crime Squad to conduct the investigative work, but state police announced Saturday that inspectors from the state Division of Criminal Justice now will take over that role.

“The Division of Criminal Justice, and, in particular the State’s Attorneys, are well aware of the concerns that have arisen concerning the investigation of the use of deadly force by a Connecticut State Police trooper. In fact, the State’s Attorneys in recent months had already initiated discussions on the best practices for conducting such an investigation,” acting Chief State’s Attorney Russotto said in a statement.

A group of African American pastors on Friday called on federal prosecutors to investigate the fatal shooting of Murbarak, saying they were not confident the state could impartially investigate itself in connection with his death.