Manchester Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting Under Investigation

MANCHESTER, CT — Connecticut State Police and the chief state's attorney's office have taken over an investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting Thursday night in Manchester.

The man killed was identified by State's Attorney Matthew Gedansky as 27-year-old Jose Soto, who was wanted for parole violation in relation to a conviction for first-degree robbery.

The incident took police at about 7:30 p.m. at 181 Oak St., according to Manchester Police Department spokesman Lt. Ryan Shea. The state Department of Corrections Parole Fugitive Unit was attempting to issue a warrant to Soto and things went awry, Shea said.

The Soto's mother answered the door but Soto then began threatening to shoot people and barricaded himself in the basement, both Shea and Gedansky said.

Gedansky said it was determined that Soto "was not going to go with (officers) peacefully." The decision was then made to call the Capital Region Emergency Service Team. 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 University of Connecticut police departments.

CREST does not utilize body cameras.

Gedansky said CREST team members set up a perimeter around the house and began to speak with Soto by telephone. He eventually agreed to come out of the house, at which time, "a confrontation occurred," Gedansky said.

Four officers with the CREST team fired their weapons, hitting Soto, he said.

Emergency crews at the scene rendered "immediate medical aid" to Soto, who was transported to Hartford Hospital, where he later died, Gedansky said.

No officers or civilians were injured.

Gedansky, the state’s attorney for the Judicial District of Tolland, has been charged with conducting the investigation into the incident and to "determine if the use of force was justified under state law." Manchester is in the Judicial District of Hartford.

Detectives from the Connecticut State’s Police Western District Major Crime squad also responded to the scene and will assist Gedansky with the investigation.

"The State’s Attorney extends his condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Soto on their loss. The investigation is in its preliminary stages and more information concerning this investigation will be released as appropriate," Gedanski said.