Video, New Details Released In Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting In Hartford

HARTFORD, CT — State investigators Monday revealed additional details along with the identity of those involved in the fatal, officer-involved shooting in Hartford on Thursday, March 6.

According to Connecticut Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, who released a preliminary report on the incident Monday, the victim has been identified as William Bowen, 21, who is described by Devlin as being a Black male.

In his report, Devlin said Bowen was observed on Instagram Live walking around Hartford, "displaying what appeared to be a firearm."

Devlin said officers in the Hartford Police Department Command Center saw the live stream and were able to track Bowen's whereabouts to the vicinity of Homestead Avenue in the city.

As a result, the Greater Hartford Police Department Auto Theft Task Force was alerted and sent to that area, utilizing the task force's unmarked vehicles.

At about 2:30 p.m., Devlin wrote, task force officers rushed to about 70-72 Homestead Ave.

When Bowen displayed a handgun to the officers, HPD Officer Robert Bohm and Det. Benjamin Lee fired "multiple rounds from their weapons," Devlin wrote.

According to the report, Bowen then fled along the western side of the building there, through a backyard and into a backyard at 9-11 Magnolia St.

While this was going on, HPD Det. Joseph Walsh was rushing to Magnolia Street, proceeding on foot to the sidewalk in front of that address, wrote Devlin.

That's when Bowen emerged from a "narrow alley on the north side of the residence, running directly" at Walsh, according to the report.

According to Devlin, a nearby doorbell camera recorded Walsh shouting "Drop the gun. Drop the gun."

Ultimately, Walsh fired "multiple rounds" that struck Bowen, killing him, wrote Devlin in his preliminary report.

Devlin said police seized two firearms from the scene, one a Glock with a large-capacity magazine and another Glock that was found in a backpack Bowen discarded during the foot chase.

State investigators released screenshots from the Instagram Live stream showing Bowen with the weapons in his hand.

The Office of the Inspector General also released bodycam footage of Walsh coming into contact with Bowen and firing at him.

An autopsy March 7 of Bowen by the Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner revealed the cause of death as being gunshot wounds of the "torso and right and upper and lower extremities," reads Devlin's report.

Devlin's report indicates neither the death certificate nor the toxicology results are available.

The Office of Inspector General, Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad, and Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office are conducting the investigation.

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

To watch body camera footage of the fatal shooting, click on this link (Viewer discretion is advised.)

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