VIDEO: Hartford PD Shoots And Kill Knife-Wielding Man Last Week: State

HARTFORD, CT — State authorities on Monday released new details and body camera footage of the events leading up to a fatal, officer-involved shooting in Hartford last week.

Connecticut Inspector General Eliot D. Prescott on Monday, Feb. 23, released a preliminary status report on a fatal police shooting that occurred Feb. 19 at an apartment building on Capitol Avenue.

The report, required under state statutes, outlines the events leading to the death of Everard Walker, 53, a Black man of Jamaican descent who lived in Hartford.

According to the preliminary investigation, a family member called 211 shortly before 10 a.m. on Feb. 19 seeking help because Walker was experiencing an acute mental health crisis.

Two mental health professionals from the Capitol Region Mental Health Center asked Hartford police officers to accompany them to Walker’s apartment at 990 Capitol Ave., reads the report.

Officers and clinicians arrived around 10:08 a.m., officials said.

The mental health workers and several officers attempted to speak with Walker from the hallway through the open apartment door on the third floor, reads the report.

Walker’s son and one of his daughters were present. His spouse arrived during the incident, authorities said.

Officers initially entered the apartment but retreated after becoming concerned that Walker might throw a pot of boiling water at them, according to the report.

Discussions continued between officers and those at the scene.

At approximately 10:58 a.m., officers reentered the apartment as Walker attempted to close the door while being physically restrained by his son.

A physical altercation followed involving Walker, his two children, and Hartford police Officers Alexander Clifford and Geovanny Rivera.

During the struggle, Walker brandished a knife, the report states.

One or more officers ordered him to drop the knife, but he did not comply.

Walker “appeared to be poised to stab Officer Rivera,” who had fallen backward, according to the inspector general’s report.

Clifford then fired several shots from his department-issued firearm, according to the report.

Walker was struck multiple times, received medical attention at the scene, and was later pronounced dead at Saint Francis Hospital.

The physical altercation and shooting were recorded on body-worn cameras used by several officers.

Part of the incident was also captured on video recorded by Walker’s daughter on an iPad.

The report includes still images from those recordings and warns that the videos contain disturbing images.

On Feb. 20, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled Walker’s manner of death a homicide.

The cause of death was determined to be gunshot wounds to the torso, neck, and right upper extremity. Toxicology results are pending.

The Office of Inspector General and the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad are continuing the investigation.

No conclusions about whether the use of deadly force was justified have been announced.

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

From Feb. 20: 'Hartford Police Shoot And Kill Knife-Wielding Man: Reports'

(Editor's note: This video contains graphic images and details.)