Hartford Cop Acted In Self-Defense During 2023 Fatal Shooting: State

HARTFORD, CT — State investigators ruled Friday, March 21, that a Hartford police officer was justified in shooting and killing a threatening suspect in October 2023.

According to authorities, the man shot and killed by a Hartford police officer on Oct. 16, 2023, was Jamie Grant, 44, who is described by the state as an "African-American male."

It was Grant, officials said, who was pointing a gun directly at Hartford Police Officer Brian Sulliman after he exited a suspicious vehicle in the city.

"Based on the facts developed during the investigation, I have determined that Officer Sulliman used deadly force to defend himself from what he reasonably believed to be a threat of serious injury or death," reads a 30-page report signed by Connecticut Inspector General Robert J. Devlin and Connecticut Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Andrew J. Slitt. "Accordingly, I find such use of force to be objectively reasonable and justified.

According to the report, Sulliman was on routine patrol in a marked police cruiser at about 1:54 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.

That's when he attempted to stop a suspicious gray, four-door Honda Accord with Florida license plates on Westland Street, according to Devlin.

The report states once the Honda came to a stop, Grant exited the front passenger door and walked to the rear of the vehicle.

Sulliman exited his vehicle and approached the Honda, which then sped off leaving Grant, officials said.

"Grant was holding what appeared to be a firearm in his left hand," wrote Devlin in his initial report released in October 2023.

"He raised his arm in the direction of Officer Sulliman. In response, Officer Sulliman then discharged his firearm multiple times, striking Grant."

Grant fell in the middle of the intersection of Westland and Barbour streets.

He said the HPD began life-saving procedures and Grant was rushed to Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, where he was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of Grant’s death to be “gunshot wounds of the torso and right upper extremity.”

Investigators said, given the threatening nature of Grant pointing a gun at the officer, Sulliman was justified in defending himself.

"The investigation establishes that Officer Sulliman’s use of deadly force was reasonable to defend himself," wrote state officials in the report.

" I therefore conclude that his use of force was justified under Connecticut law. The Office of Inspector General will take no further action on this matter."

For the full report by the Connecticut Inspector General's Office on the incident, click on this link.

From Oct. 18, 2023: 'WATCH: Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting In Hartford'