Hartford police raise staffing concerns after 1 killed, 4 injured in weekend shooting
Hartford police are raising concerns about staffing and calling for more support from the city and state after a weekend shooting left one man dead and four other people injured.
The shooting happened around 1:40 a.m. on Sunday in the 700 block of Wethersfield Avenue. Police identified the man killed as 31-year-old Joseph Texidor of Newington. Four other people were injured.
The people who were injured include a man in his 30s, a man in his 20s, another man in his 30s, and an adult woman. All five people are believed to have been shot in the same incident.
Police estimate more than 100 people were in the area when they arrived.
Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert said that between multiple bars and nightclubs, a park, and street racing, the area can be particularly difficult to police.
“There are so many bars in Hartford, and so many of us,” Boisvert said. “We police the bars best we can. We will be at one, there will be a disturbance at the next one, we will move to that one. We play this game every weekend.”
Hartford’s police union said police are at a “tipping point,” operating with no officers to spare and lacking the numbers needed to maintain a consistent police presence.
“Even if that enforcement started tomorrow, we’re approaching a tipping point on staffing,” said James Rutkauski, president of the Hartford Police Union. “Our members are covering this activity with numbers that leave no margin. Presence is what prevents a crowd of a hundred people from becoming a homicide scene, and presence takes officers.”
Police are also calling for more assistance from city and state officials with permitting, licensing, and enforcement.
City officials said they are working with Hartford police and code enforcement staff to ensure safety and hold establishments that are not in compliance accountable.
“I am heartbroken by this senseless act of violence that occurred overnight in the City of Hartford, resulting in the loss of one life and the injury of four others,” the City of Hartford said in a statement. “We will keep the public updated in the coming days as we come to better understand the details of the incident on Sunday.”
The Department of Consumer Protection, which is responsible for liquor licenses, said it is also in communication with police and the city.
“Liquor Control has been in close communication with Hartford Police and city leadership following the tragic weekend shooting,” DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said. “DCP is committed as always to supporting local police and city officials in their investigation, providing support for future enforcement initiatives, and prioritizing public health and safety.”
Police have not linked the shooting to any particular business but say they will work to get to the bottom of it.
“We are going to find out what the root of this shooting is, whether it was a bar, whether it was street racers, whatever it was,” Boisvert said.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has video from the area to call the Hartford police tip line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).
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