Protestors in New Haven are demanding answers after a woman was shot and injured in the city. State police are investigating the incident from early Tuesday morning, which involved police officers from Hamden and Yale.
Authorities say police shot a woman in a car in New Haven while firing at the driver, who was suspected in an armed robbery in the neighboring town of Hamden.
A Hamden police officer and a Yale officer reportedly spotted the suspected vehicle in the area of Argyle Street and Dixwell Avenue in New Haven. After the car was stopped numerous rounds were fired by both officers on the scene.
Surveillance video shows the moment a Hamden Police Officer opens fire on a car in New Haven. pic.twitter.com/h7IrwPbcgo
— Kent Pierce (@kentpierce8) April 16, 2019
Authorities say the driver, who was not injured, was taken into custody but later released.
Community members and religious leaders say they’re not satisfied with what they’ve heard about the shooting so far. Two separate rallies were held Tuesday night.
Rev. Boise Kimber of First Calvary Baptist Church in New Haven said the circumstances are troubling.
“What we’re hearing is that these individuals did not have a gun,” said Kimber. “What we’re also hearing is that the young man that was arrested was released without any charge. And that the New Haven police department was never notified that Hamden nor Yale was in the city trying to do an arrest. We’ve got to get some answers here.”
State police were called in to investigate the shooting, which is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings.
A conference call was held Wednesday morning between New Haven Mayor Toni Harp, Hamden Mayor Curt Leng, and police chiefs from all three districts — New Haven, Yale, and Hamden. City spokesman Laurence Grotheer says the call lasted about 45 minutes.
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated.
