West Hartford Officials React To Local Cop's Exoneration: UPDATE

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Local officials Friday called the August 2023 fatal, officer-involved shooting a tragic, but dangerous, situation, as they reacted to a state decision to exonerate a West Hartford police officer.

The Aug. 8, 2023, fatal shooting of a car theft suspect by a West Hartford police officer was justified, according to a state report released on the incident Thursday.

Connecticut Inspector General Robert J. Devlin Jr. said West Hartford Police Department K-9 officer Andrew Teeter acted appropriately by using lethal force in trying to subdue Mike Alexander-Garcia, 34, who was killed in the incident.

Friday, the Town of West Hartford released multiple statements from the mayor, police chief, and its legal counsel about the situation.

West Hartford Police Chief Vernon L. Riddick Jr. said the incident was a dangerous situation that put members of the public in harm's way back in 2023.

"Officer Teeter responded to a dangerous incident impacting innocent members of the public, involving the commission of multiple felonies, including attempted carjackings," Riddick said.

"We are saddened by Mr. Garcia’s loss of life and grateful that innocent victims were not injured. The Inspector General conducted a thorough and impartial investigation into the events related to this incident. The investigation determined that Officer Teeter’s use of force was justified. I appreciate Officer Teeter and all of our police officers for their commitment to public safety and the courage they exhibit daily in the line of duty."

West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor agreed.

"The loss of any life is a tragedy, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Mr.Alexander-Garcia. West Hartford remains deeply committed to the principles of police accountability, and I appreciate the thorough investigation conducted by the state Office of the Inspector General," she said.

"We are relieved that Officer Teeter’s injuries were not more severe and that no one else was harmed. I am deeply grateful to Officer Teeter and to all the dedicated men and women of the West Hartford Police Department who selflessly risk their lives every day to protect and serve our community.”

Devlin's report

In a 63-page report released Thursday afternoon, Devlin said lethal force was justified because Alexander-Garcia was using a stolen vehicle (a Toyota Rav 4) as a potentially "lethal weapon."

As a result, Devlin said Teeter's use of force was necessary to save himself and the lives of those nearby.

"His use of deadly force inside the RAV4 was a reasonable response to a legitimate threat of serious injury or death to himself and others posed by the chaotic and reckless actions of Alexander-Garcia," wrote Devlin in the report released Thursday.

"In sum, I find Officer Teeter’s use of deadly force to be justified under Connecticut law."

According to state authorities, at about 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, West Hartford police were attempting to stop a stolen Hyundai Elantra traveling east on New Britain Avenue.

At the New Britain Avenue/South Street intersection, the stolen Hyundai hit a silver BMW and a blue Honda Pilot, disabling the Hyundai, state officials have said.

According to investigators, the two occupants of the stolen vehicle, Lyle Solsbury, 46, and Alexander-Garcia, exited the Hyundai and fled.

Solsbury was immediately apprehended by police and charged, with Alexander-Garcia fleeing east on New Britain Avenue, authorities wrote.

In the preliminary 2023 report, the state alleges Alexander-Garcia unsuccessfully tried to carjack two vehicles, eventually making his way to a Town Fair Tire at 980 New Britain Ave., West Hartford.

State authorities said Alexander-Garcia entered the Town Fair Tire garage and then entered the driver's side of a Toyota Rav4 vehicle being serviced there.

Shortly after, Teeter and his police dog entered the garage and the passenger side of the vehicle and attempted to subdue Alexander-Garcia, according to state officials.

It was during this struggle that Teeter discharged his gun as Alexander-Garcia was backing out of the garage while Teeter and the police dog were trying to subdue him.

The Toyota ended up crashing across the street into a utility pole, near the intersection of New Britain Avenue and Shield Street, officials said.

Authorities said Teeter sustained a broken rib and multiple head lacerations and was taken to the hospital. He eventually recovered. The police dog was unharmed.

Alexander-Garcia was taken to Hartford Hospital and pronounced dead at 5:53 p.m. that day.

According to Devlin, while the suspect was pleading for the police dog to stop biting him, he ultimately ignored Teeter's orders to stop and turn himself in.

The fact the car sped out of the garage and crashed into a utility pole, snapping it at the base, is an indication of the danger the vehicle posed to the public being driven in that manner, Devlin wrote.

Devlin's report includes photographs of the crime scene, including smashed vehicles, dog bite marks on the suspect's arm, and the weapon/ammunition used in the shooting.

It also includes transcripts of witness interviews and police officer accounts of what happened that day.

What's next?

The incident has proven to be controversial, with the family of Alexander-Garcia — led by his mother Jacqueline Garcia of Willimantic — filing a $75 million civil lawsuit against the WHPD in Hartford Superior Court last August, about a year after the shooting.

The lawsuit contends Teeter was negligent and didn't follow proper police protocols when the canine officer chased Alexander-Garcia after a stolen vehicle pursuit and crash.

But Devlin's report contradicts that allegation and it is unclear yet how the report will impact the civil suit, which is still in the courts.

West Hartford Corporation Counsel Dallas C. Dodge said the state ruling showed how serious a situation the incident was, adding the town will defend itself to the fullest against the lawsuit.

“The report of the Office of Inspector General details a highly dangerous situation caused by the violent criminal conduct of Mr. Alexander-Garcia, and the investigation concludes that the use of deadly force by our police officer was a reasonable response to a legitimate threat of serious injury or death to himself and others posed by the chaotic and reckless actions of Mr. Alexander-Garcia," Dodge said in a statement.

"The town intends to vigorously defend itself and the police officer named in the plaintiff’s civil lawsuit."

For the full report from the Connecticut Officer of the Inspector General, click on this link.

From Aug. 9, 2023: '1 Dead, Police Officer Injured After West Hartford Shooting: Police'

From Aug. 10, 2023: 'West Hartford Man Charged In Car Theft Related To Shooting: WHPD'

From Aug. 11, 2023: 'WATCH: Chaotic Scene At WeHa Officer-Involved Shooting'

From Aug. 14: 'Family Of Suspect Killed By Police In West Hartford Files Suit'