Fatal Manchester SWAT Shooting: Footage Released

MANCHESTER, CT — The lead investigator in a fatal shooting involving police earlier this month in Manchester released law enforcement footage of the confrontation Friday.

Matthew Gedansky, the state's attorney for the Judicial District of Tolland, said the video was extracted from the dash camera of a Manchester police cruiser. An attempt to serve a warrant turned into a confrontation between a SWAT team and 27-year-old Jose Soto and Soto was fatally shot.

The shooting occurred April 2. No police officers were inside the vehicle when the recording was made, Gedansky said.

Officers from the state Department of Correction's Parole Division, assisted by Manchester police, went to 181 Oak St. to take Soto into custody for a violation of parole stemming from his conviction for first-degree robbery. The Capitol Region Emergency Service Team was subsequently called to the scene to assist.

Here is the video released Friday:

(Video released by State's Attorney Matthew Gedansky)

A preliminary investigation indicates that four members of the CREST team fired their weapons, "resulting in the injuries that led to Mr. Soto's death."

Gedansky added, "Although the investigation is in its preliminary stages, it has yielded important information that, despite valiant efforts by an experienced negotiator from CREST, Mr. Soto manifested an intent to emerge from the residence in a manner which rejected the negotiator’s advice to surrender peacefully."

See more on the incident here.

Gedansky has been assigned the case to determine if the use of force resulting in Soto's death was justified under state law. The Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad is assisting with the investigation.

Gedansky has extended his condolences to the family and loved ones of Soto.