'Shocking, Haunting' Officer-Involved Shooting Leads To Protests

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden Mayor Curt Leng issued the following statement regarding the recent “Officer Involved Shooting ” that occurred on April 16, 2019 in the area of Dixwell Avenue and Argyle Street in New Haven. (See below for video of the officer-involved shooting and for videos and pictures of protests held in Hamden on Friday.)

Mayor Leng released the following statement on Saturday afternoon:

“Had a meaningful, productive meeting this morning (April 19th) with a group of Religious Leaders who were kind enough to come and meet with Acting Chief Cappiello and I regarding ways to work together, following the shocking, haunting Police Officer Shooting Incident that occurred in New Haven on Tuesday.

We were able to quickly agree on a series of specific actions that will improve our Police Department and strengthen our Town. We also have committed to continuing dialogue in the coming weeks, months and years, which will build and strengthen relationships that advance our mutual goals of helping and supporting the people of our community.

So many wonderful faith and community leaders have offered to assist, meet and offer their expertise. I plan to meet with everyone who will work together to help Hamden, to the very best of our abilities, prevent an occurrence like this one from ever occurring again and to effect change needed to make our Town safer, more equitable and community driven, than ever before.

I am so deeply sorry to the individuals who were involved that this ever occurred, and also very thankful that the healing has begun. We will do better. We must do better.

I am also so very thankful that we have public safety officials in our police and fire services that will not only accept important changes, but embrace them, if they are for the betterment of our community.”

Mayor Leng concluded his statement by saying, “More details of improvements, planned actions and meetings and investigatory updates will continue to be posted here. Please know that there’s nothing more important to me than fixing this with every tool within my power.”

Details Of The Officer-Involved Shooting And State Police Update On Investigation

State Police and the State's Attorney's office are expediting their investigation into an officer-involved shooting that left a 22-year-old woman injured in New Haven last week. The incident involved Yale and Hamden Police and has led to several protests in both municipalities after video depicting part of the incident was released.

The Hamden officer involved in the shooting has been identified as Devin Eaton, according to the New Haven Independent. Eaton attended the New Haven Police Academy and became a city cop in March 2015. He later resigned and joined Hamden's police force a little over a year later.

State law enforcement has confiscated video and audio recordings of the incident as they investigate.

State Police Commissioner James C. Rovella said at the request of the New Haven State’s Attorney, the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad was designated the lead investigating Agency for the Officer Involved Shooting. This is common practice to avoid conflict of interest, he said.

"The investigation includes but is not limited to the accumulation of all public and private video camera data available. As of 4-18-19, Hamden Police Body Camera footage became available to analyze and evaluate.

"We support everyone’s rights to free speech. We thank the New Haven Police Department’s efforts to keep everyone safe. We ask for a little patience but we expect to release to the public details of the investigation including Body Camera video next week. The integrity of the investigation, fair treatment for the individuals in the vehicle, Officers involved and Transparency is paramount in these types of investigations," Rovella said in a statement.

Hamden Police took another look at their pursuit policy earlier this year after several pursuits involving Hamden cops ended in fatalities. Cappiello recommended that the policy be changed so pursuits only happen for violent felony suspects.

Woman Shot And Origin Of The Pursuit

The incident started early Tuesday morning when Hamden Police got a 911 call about a newspaper delivery man being robbed at a Hamden gas station on Arch Street by a suspect in a red Honda Civic, said State Police Trooper Josue Dorelus, police spokesman. A vehicle matching the description was found near Dixwell Avenue and Argyle Street.

Multiple officers arrived and attempted to box the vehicle in and officers gave instructions to the driver on how to exit the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle exited abruptly and turned towards officers, Dorelus said.

However, some are questioning the preliminary report after video surveillance of part of the incident was released.

Officers from Hamden and Yale fired numerous gunshots. A bullet hit Stephanie Washington, 22, who was seated in the front passenger seat. She was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital and is in stable condition. Protesters blocked traffic on Dixwell Avenue and filled Hamden Police headquarters Tuesday.

Driver Paul Witherspoon said during an interview with WTNH that police yelled at him to get out of the vehicle and put his hands up and that he was shot quickly after that. Witherspoon was taken into custody and later released. He wasn't charged.

New Haven Mayor Toni Harp called the incident "unacceptable," according to the Hartford Courant. She called for written policies regarding other law enforcement agencies entering New Haven for incidents.

Under Connecticut law local police can make arrests outside of their own town for a felony without a warrant at any time or when there is an immediate pursuit from their town.

Video/Photos of Protests Held Friday That Shut Down Hamden Center

Videos Of The Officer-Involved Shooting