4 Officers Fired Guns In Fatal Manchester SWAT Incident: Report

MANCHESTER, CT — It appears four officers from three police departments fired shots during a deadly Manchester standoff last week, according to a report released by investigators Wednesday.

The investigative team includes the State's Attorney's Office for the Judicial District of Tolland and the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Unit. They are looking into the circumstances surrounding the use of "deadly force" that resulted in the death of Jose Soto on April 2, in Manchester. Police were attempting to serve a warrant on the 27-year-old Soto, who was wanted for parole violation in relation to a conviction for first-degree robbery.

"At this preliminary stage of the investigation, it appears that four members of the Capitol Region Emergency Service Team (CREST) team fired their weapons," according to the report.

The officers are listed as:

• Sgt. Shawn Krom, a 12-year member of the Manchester Police Department and member of CREST since 2013
• Officer David Williams, a 14-year member of the Manchester Police Department and member of CREST since 2009
• Officer Shane Murphy, a nine-year member of the Wethersfield Police Department and member of CREST since 2014
• Officer Matthew Alexander, a six-year member of the Enfield Police Department and member of CREST since 2016

CREST is a regional SWAT team made up of officers from the Coventry, Cromwell, East Windsor, Enfield, Glastonbury, Manchester, Rocky Hill, South Windsor, Vernon, Wethersfield, and the University of Connecticut police departments.

According to a report, officers on CREST do not wear body cameras, but "one or more" of the Manchester Police Department vehicles at the scene were equipped with a dashboard camera that "may or may not have captured part of the incident." Video is being reviewed "will be released at the earliest opportunity," investigators said.

Soto was fatally wounded after officers from the state Department of Correction, Parole Division, assisted by Manchester police, went to 181 Oak Street in Manchester to take him into custody for the parole violation, authorities said.

Tolland State’s Attorney Matthew C. Gedansky was assigned to conduct the investigation and determine "if the use of force resulting in Soto’s death was justified under state law."

Gedansky has extended his condolences to Soto's extended family.

See more on the SWAT incident here.