DEADLY ENCOUNTERS
Police have killed 21 people in Connecticut in the past five years
Police officers in Connecticut have killed 21 people in the last five years, largely by gunfire, according to a Courant review of use of force investigations.
The death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis has spurred protests across the country against police use of force, particularly against people of color.
Of the 21 use of force deaths in Connecticut over the past five years, 16 of the cases have been resolved by sometimes yearslong investigations by state’s attorneys, and five remain open. No officers have been charged with any crimes in connection with the deaths.
Communities have held rallies, pressed for answers and pushed for police departments to fire officers, but many officers involved have returned to duty, often facing little consequence for using deadly force.
The victims have left behind families, some of whom continue to press on in calling for justice when more people are killed by police in Connecticut.
Here’s a look at those deadly encounters:
Jose Soto, 27, was fatally shot outside his mother’s Manchester home after a regional SWAT team was called to assist staff from the Department of Correction attempting to serve a violation of parole warrant. No weapon was found on or near Soto after he was killed, sources have said. His death remains under investigation by Tolland State’s Attorney Matthew Gedansky and the four officers that opened fire were placed on administrative leave. Soto’s family said he suffered from PTSD, and his mother told officers when urging they use restraint in arresting her son.
Edward Gendron, 57, was shot after a Waterbury police officer, Richard Tompkins III, responded to a welfare check and was confronted by Gendron, who reportedly had a gun. Police said an altercation took place before Gendron was shot. New Britain State’s Attorney Brian Preleski is investigating.
Mubarak Soulemane was shot as many as seven times by Trooper Brian North in West Haven after state police chased a stolen vehicle up I-95 from Norwalk. Police there said the suspected thief was also involved a disturbance at a local AT&T store. Body camera footage showed North firing at Soulemane