New details released in Newington shooting that left suspect dead, 2 officers hurt
The Connecticut Office of the Inspector General has released new details about a deadly exchange of gunfire in Newington that left two police officers wounded and a suspect dead following a pursuit from Hartford last week.
The suspect who was killed has now been identified as 37-year-old Hector Perez.
Officers in Hartford were investigating illegal activity on Fales Street and Sission Avenue around 11 p.m. on Friday. They received a report that someone took out a small gun and threatened to shoot another person, according to the inspector general’s preliminary report.
A male suspect, Perez, then fled on foot. Hartford police officer Alexander Diaz chased Perez and attempted to take him into custody.
During the struggle, authorities said Diaz felt what appeared to be a firearm in Perez’s waistband. Perez then broke free, got into a black Honda Accord Crosstour, and drove away, according to the report.
Diaz said on the radio that Perez “tried to drag me with his car,” the report stated.
According to police, officers from the Hartford, Newington, and Rocky Hill police departments pursued the vehicle through Hartford and continued south before stopping in Webster Court in Newington, near the Rocky Hill town line.
Newly released dash-camera footage shows Perez and a female passenger running from the car. The female suspect has not been identified.
After a short foot pursuit, the report said there was an exchange of gunfire involving Perez, Diaz, Hartford police officer Jocelyn Andino, and Rocky Hill police officer Jonathan Escobar. Diaz and Escobar were struck by gunfire. Both officers were transported to the hospital. They have since been released.
Perez was also struck by gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene, the report said.
A small semi-automatic pistol was found on the scene, according to the report
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Perez died from gunshot wounds to the head, neck, torso, and extremities and ruled his manner of death a homicide. Toxicology results are pending.
Diaz and Escobar’s body camera footage was released, as well as dash camera footage from Escobar’s cruiser. Andino’s body-worn camera was not activated during the incident, the inspector general said.
The inspector general’s investigation remains ongoing.
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