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State of Connecticut O I G: Ffice of Nspector Eneral
State of Connecticut O I G: Ffice of Nspector Eneral
Report Concerning
Use of Deadly Force by the Bridgeport Police Department on September 16, 2020
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 4
INVESTIGATION .................................................................................................................... 5
SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................ 5
WITNESS STATEMENTS ............................................................................................................... 6
DARRICK STANLEY ................................................................................................................... 6
ALEXANDER ALEJANDRO .......................................................................................................... 7
LUIS FRANCISCO-ROQUE ......................................................................................................... 8
NELSON VILLA ........................................................................................................................ 8
OFFICER ELIUD HENRY, II ......................................................................................................... 9
OFFICER SEAN CURRAN ......................................................................................................... 12
DIGITAL EVIDENCE.................................................................................................................... 14
HOSPITAL RECORDS .................................................................................................................. 17
SCENE .................................................................................................................................... 20
FORENSICS .............................................................................................................................. 47
FINDINGS ........................................................................................................................... 49
ANALYSIS............................................................................................................................ 53
CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................... 54
ADDENDUM ....................................................................................................................... 55
RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................ 55
APPENDIX ............................................................................................................................... 55
2
Acknowledgements
3
INTRODUCTION
On September 16, 2020, during the early morning hours, at 351 Clinton Avenue, 3rd
Floor, Bridgeport, Officer Eliud Henry, fired one shot from his department-issued handgun
striking Juan Esteban Villa Ramirez aka Juan Villa in the side. The bullet caused serious but
nonfatal injury to Villa.
Briefly stated, the investigation establishes that, at the time he was shot, Villa was
stabbing another person, Darrick Stanley, with a large knife. When verbal commands and a
Taser deployment had no effect, Office Henry shot Villa to stop the attack on Stanley. Officer
Henry used deadly force to defend Stanley from imminent serious physical injury or death.
Accordingly, I find such use of force to be objectively reasonable and justified.
1
As relevant here, General Statutes §51-277a(a)(1) provides, “Whenever a peace officer, in the course of such
officer’s duties uses … deadly force … upon another person, the Division of Criminal Justice shall cause an
investigation to be made and the Inspector General shall have the responsibility of determining whether the use of
force was justified under section 53a-22.”
2
The timeline for this investigation is summarized as follows:
9/16/20: Date of incident;
9/16/20: Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. appoints Stamford/Norwalk State’s Attorney Paul
J. Ferencek to lead the investigation;
9/16/20: State’s Attorney Ferencek requests the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime
Squad to investigate the police use of force incident;
9/18/20: State’s Attorney Ferencek submits a preliminary status report regarding the incident;
10/6/21: Eastern District Major Crime Squad submits their final summary/conclusion report to State’s
Attorney Ferencek;
10/8/21: Robert J. Devlin, Jr. is sworn in as Inspector General;
11/3/21: Office of Inspector General assumes responsibility for the investigation;
11/12/21: State’s Attorney Ferencek transfers file to Office of Inspector General.
4
INVESTIGATION
Summary
3
Juan Esteban Villa Ramirez aka Juan Villa is a Hispanic male who, on September 16, 2020 was 27 years old.
4
Officer Eliud Henry, II is an African-American male who, on September 16, 2020 was 45 years old and had been a
Bridgeport police officer for 9 years, 5 months. As of September 16, 2020, his training records were up to date and
his disciplinary history reflected no disciplinary record.
5
Officer Sean Curran is a white male who, on September 16, 2020, was 61 years old and had been a Bridgeport
police officer for about 4 years. As of September 16, 2020, his training records were up to date and his disciplinary
history reflected no disciplinary record.
6
Darrick Stanley is an African-American male who, on September 16, 2020, was 50 years old.
5
Witness Statements
Darrick Stanley
On Tuesday September 15, 2020 around 10:30a.m., Stanley was in his room and saw
Juan go out of his room and into the hallway. Alex’s girlfriend was cleaning up in the hallway
and Juan said something to her in Spanish. Alex’s girlfriend went into Alex’s room and she was
terrified to come out. Juan went back into his room and a few minutes later Stanley received a
call from Alex. Alex asked Stanley to tell his girlfriend to give him a call and that he was on his
way home. Right after that, the police arrived at the apartment and came up to talk to Juan.
The paramedics came up to the apartment too and then Juan left in the paramedic truck. Juan
looked like he was on some kind of drug but Stanley did not know if Juan used drugs. About
two hours later, Juan came back to the apartment. Alex and his girlfriend were not there and
Juan did not say anything to Stanley. Stanley was downstairs and Juan went up to his
apartment, and then came back and left. About an hour later, Stanley left for work.
Stanley got home from work around 10:30 – 10:45p.m. Alex’s girlfriend was not home.
Alex and Stanley sat outside talking and Juan was up in his room. Around 11:30p.m., Alex and
Stanley went upstairs to Stanley’s room to watch TV. They watched TV for a little bit and then
Alex left and went to his room.
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The statement continues:
“Around midnight, I heard a big commotion in the bathroom like glass was breaking and
I knew Juan was in the bathroom. Alex called me from his room and told me there was blood
everywhere, but I didn’t see it. As soon as I got off the phone with Alex, I texted the landlord to
tell him that something was happening at the apartment. Then I called 9-1-1 and told them my
neighbor, meaning Juan, was having problems and that they should come and check him out.
While I was on the phone with 9-1-1, Juan kicked my door in and came charging right at me
with a little piece of glass about an inch or two long that he was holding in his right hand and he
was trying to cut my face and eyes. He didn’t say anything to me while he was trying to cut me.
I was tussling with Juan for a few minutes trying to get him to stop but Juan cut me a few times
on my face. After a few minutes of tussling, Juan stopped and took off and ran downstairs. I
went into the bathroom to see my wounds and there was broken glass on the ground but I’m
not sure what it was from. Then Juan ran back upstairs and he was holding a silver butcher’s
knife with a groove in the blade and a black handle in his right hand. The blade looked to be
about a foot long. Juan came after me with the knife and was stabbing it at me in a jabbing
motion. I grabbed Juan’s wrist and was holding it so he couldn’t stab me. We tussled with each
other standing up face to face for a few minutes in the bathroom and then I heard the
commotion of the police running up the stairs of my apartment. When I looked over at the
two officers running up the stairs my hand slipped off Juan’s wrist and, when my hand slipped
off his wrist, Juan stabbed me in the back of the neck with the knife. I immediately heard one
gunshot and saw Juan fall to the ground. One of the police officers pulled me out of the
bathroom. I was relieved to see the officers and felt like they saved my life.”
Alexandro Alejandro
On the night of September 15, 2020, Alejandro and Darrick Stanley were watching TV in
Stanley’s bedroom in their residence at 351 Clinton Avenue where Alejandro, Stanley, and Juan
Esteban Villa Ramirez all rented rooms. Between 12:30a.m. – 1:30a.m. on September 16, 2020,
Alejandro went into his room when he heard the sound of glass breaking in their shared
bathroom. Alejandro believed that Ramirez might have punched the mirror in the bathroom
and was trying to kill himself because he saw blood and broken glass in the hallway. Alejandro
called 9-1-1 to get Ramirez help and when he went downstairs to open the door for the police
he heard a boom and then heard Stanley yelling, “Alex, Alex.” Alejandro called 9-1-1 again and
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told them that Ramirez was assaulting Stanley. Then the police arrived and Alejandro saw
Ramirez running up the stairs so Alejandro told the police where to go. Alejandro saw Ramirez
had a knife in his hand and believed that he must have gotten it from the kitchen because there
was blood in there. Alejandro said Ramirez was trying to stab Stanley when the police told
Ramirez to put the knife down. Alejandro believed that the police had no other choice but to
shoot Ramirez and they saved Stanley’s life.
Luis Francisco-Roque
He rents the second and third floor apartment at 351 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
from a person who resides in Bronx, New York. Francisco-Roque sublets rooms to three other
people, Alex, Juan, and Darrick. The rooms are on the third floor. Very early Wednesday
morning around 1:19a.m., Francisco-Roque received a phone call from Alex saying that Juan
was acting crazy. While on the phone, Alex told him that Juan and Darrick were starting to
fight. Alex also told him the Juan was breaking things. Alex stated that he already called the
police before he called Francisco-Roque. The conversation with Alex ended when the police
arrived.
Nelson Villa
Nelson stated that on Tuesday September 15, 2020 at about 10:00a.m., he received a
call from his son, Juan, while Juan was at the hospital. Nelson had been renting a room for Juan
in a building on Clinton Avenue for the last few months. Juan told Nelson that he had had an
argument with his roommate and the police were called. Juan said that the police took him to
the hospital. Juan asked Nelson to pick him up because he did not want to stay at the hospital.
Juan told Nelson that the hospital wanted him to stay and cure all of the sick people. Nelson
asked Juan what he meant and Juan said that he (Nelson) does not understand him (Juan).
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Nelson told his son to stay at the hospital. Juan told him that he did not want to stay at the
hospital and hung up the phone.
Later that day, Nelson called Juan to check on him. Juan told him that he was walking to
his house. Nelson asked Juan why he left and Juan responded that he (Nelson) did not
understand. Juan told Nelson that the hospital knows his condition and that he is special. Juan
said that the hospital wanted him to cure everyone. Nelson told his son that he was sick and
Juan hung up the phone.
Nelson stated that his son is bi-polar and he wants his son to seek help. A doctor in
Colombia who prescribed medication diagnosed Juan with bi-polar disorder last year, but Juan
does not take the medication. Nelson described Juan as acting normally then would start to act
“weird.” Juan would organize his belongings and they had to be in a specific place. If Nelson
moved Juan’s belongings, Juan would put it back into place. Juan would put on headphones
and turn the music on very loud. Juan would say weird things that a normal person would not
say.
Juan’s mother lives in Colombia and Juan goes back to visit every few years. Juan came
back to the U.S. in January after living in Colombia for two years. Juan was doing well for a
while but in June, he started to act weird. He started to say things that were not normal. In
June, Nelson convinced Juan to go to Bridgeport Hospital for a mental health check and to be
given medicine. Juan stayed in the hospital for a week before coming home. The hospital gave
Juan medicine, but he did not take it.
Nelson stated that, while in Colombia, Juan was taking the medicine and doing well.
Nelson had never seen Juan become violent or aggressive, even when he was acting weird.
Juan’s bi-polar started last year. Juan grew up in Colombia with his mother. Nelson was not
aware of him acting like this when he was growing up. Nelson stated that he has a good
relationship with Juan’s mother and that they speak often about Juan’s condition.
Juan does not do drugs but does drink alcohol. Nelson did not know how much Juan
drinks. He would drink two or three beers in front of Nelson, but that is it. Nelson was only
aware of Juan being in the hospital twice – the time he brought him in June and when he called
Nelson from the hospital yesterday.
9
On September 16, 2020, at approximately 1:18a.m., Officer Eliud Henry, II was
dispatched to a “check the welfare” call at 351 Clinton Avenue. Henry recalled that he either
heard on his police radio or saw on his mobile data terminal that the caller stated that the
responsible party was running through the hallway acting crazy and yelling. Henry was aware
that American Medical Response was staging. Officer Sean Curran also arrived at the location.
The witness handed Henry a set of keys. He held out one key and stated that it
unlocked the second floor door. The witness also made statements to the effect of, “I think he
has a knife.” Other than the commotion coming from upstairs, Henry could not hear any talking
or yelling coming from inside the house. Given that the witness stated that the responsible
party might have a knife, as well as that he was beating someone up, Henry and Curran made
the decision to make entry and assess the situation. The witness stated, “He’s fucking up my
neighbor. He just fucking kicked my neighbor’s whole door in, third floor.”
Prior to unlocking the door, Henry double-checked to make sure that his BWC was
recording. He noticed that the “covert cover” on top of his BWC was on and was hiding the
BWC lights. Henry slid the cover open and noticed that the BWC was not recording. Henry
pushed the button to turn on his BWC before unlocking the door and making entry.
After unlocking the door, Henry immediately heard a loud noise coming from the third floor
that sounded like someone was hitting a door. Henry removed his Taser and as he walked to
the base of the steps leading to the third floor, he saw blood drops on the floor and smeared on
the stairway walls.
Henry slowly rounded the corner with his Taser pointed at an upward angle due to not
knowing how far up the suspect might be. The witness yelled out “Darrick” as Henry yelled out
“Bridgeport Police!” Henry looked and saw a male at the top of the stairs wearing only boxer
shorts, covered in blood. He quickly turned and ran out of Henry’s field of view. Henry
observed the door the male was banging on was covered in blood. The witness called out
“Darrick are you okay?” The response from the victim was “No”; the witness stated, “The cops
are here.” Henry again got on his radio and stated, “Hey Sergeant, you want to come over
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here?” (This transmission did not transmit). Henry took two to three steps up in an attempt to
see if he could see anything upstairs but found it to be unsafe for Curran and him to advance
further. Curran was behind Henry. Henry felt they were tactically in the best position at that
time for their safety.
“I aimed and deployed my Taser toward the suspect’s right side. I heard the suspect yell
and hesitate for a split second; but the Taser deployment seemed ineffective due to the suspect
continuing to attack the victim by stabbing at the victim with a knife.
“I then threw down my Taser and transitioned over to my department issue firearm. I
closed the distance to make sure I had a clear shot of the suspect as well as ensuring the victim
would not be in my line of fire. (Note: the suspect and the victim were both grabbing at each
other). I reached the bathroom doorway and yelled, ‘Drop, hey, hey, drop’, At this point, I
realized I needed to stop the suspect who was inflicting serious bodily injury to the victim and
knew that, if I didn’t stop the attack, that the victim or a police officer would be killed. I
pointed my gun directly at the suspect and I fired one round, which struck the suspect in his
right side area. The suspect immediately turned and fell/sat on the ground with his back
toward the bathtub. At the same time the suspect fell, I yelled, ‘drop the knife’ and saw/heard
the knife hit the bathroom floor. The victim walked out of the bathroom and P/O Curran made
sure to get him away from the suspect and to a safe area.
“I immediately called ‘shots fired, shots fired’ over the radio (did not transmit); and told
the suspect ‘don’t move’, in which the suspect slumped back down and onto his back on the
bathroom floor. I holstered my firearm when I saw that the suspect was just lying on his back
and I moved in and removed the knife, which was lying on the suspect’s right side. I again
called ‘shots fired, shots fired’ as I tossed the knife into the hallway. I stated ‘party shot, party
shot’ over the radio and again stated ‘radio, shots fired, party shot.’”
Henry and Curran ultimately contacted dispatch and requested medics. After seeing the
injuries to the victim’s face, Henry asked Curran to contact dispatch to send another bus for
“two victims but only one party shot.” Henry observed a small puddle of blood forming under
the suspect’s right side from the gunshot wound. Henry attempted to administer first aid by
turning the suspect on his side so as to elevate the wound and slow the bleeding. As Henry
11
reached for the suspect’s right arm, the suspect pulled his arm away, turned, and began to get
up. Curran entered the bathroom and gave several verbal commands to the suspect to stay still
but the suspect was actively resisting and trying to make his way out into the hallway. Henry
and Curran eventually got control of the suspect’s arms behind his back and Henry handcuffed
the suspect’s wrists.
The suspect continued to push his way toward the bathroom door. Henry and Curran
brought the suspect down to the floor but he kicked in an effort to get back on his feet. At this
time, other police officers and medics arrived on scene. Medical personnel eventually
transported the suspect to St. Vincent’s Hospital and the victim to Bridgeport Hospital to be
treated for their injuries.
For a copy of Officer Eliud Henry’s complete statement, please click here.
Upon arrival at 351 Clinton Avenue, Curran observed a male party (witness) standing on
the front porch waving his arms. Curran exited his patrol vehicle and pushed the button on his
body worn camera (BWC) to begin recording. Officer Henry and the male witness were already
entering the house as Curran walked from his vehicle. He entered the house and made his way
past the male witness on the stairs who stated, “He’s fucking up my neighbor. He just kicked
my neighbor’s door in, third floor.” The male witness gave Henry a set of keys and Henry
unlocked the door to the second floor. As the officers entered the narrow second floor area,
Curran could hear commotion (banging) coming from the third floor. The male witness hollered
up the stairs, Darrick, you ok? The police are here.” Curran could hear a voice from upstairs
reply, “No.” Curran and Henry made their way to the third floor stairwell, which was only a few
feet away, and the banging continued. Henry was in front of Curran and Henry had his Taser
out as they got to the bottom of the stairwell. The officers identified themselves as Bridgeport
police officers and the banging stopped. The officers positioned themselves at the bottom of
the stairwell and listened. Henry was at the bottom step and Curran was to his left. From the
bottom of the stairwell to the third floor, Curran observed blood smeared on the wall,
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doorjamb, and handrail. At this point, Curran and Henry got on the radio and requested that a
sergeant come to their location.
Seconds later, Curran heard the suspect run back down the hall and saw the suspect
break through the same door that he was banging on when the officers arrived. That door
turned out to be the door to the bathroom where the victim was hiding. The officers
immediately ran up the stairs and Curran could see the suspect attacking the victim. As they
ran upstairs, Curran heard Henry deploy his Taser shouting, “Hey, hey.” The Taser deployment
was ineffective. As the officers got to the top of the stairs, Curran could see the suspect had a
large knife in his left hand and was actively stabbing and slashing the victim. Henry dropped his
Taser and quickly switched to his firearm. At this time, Curran had no line of sight and he did
not draw his firearm. Curran heard Henry shout, “Drop, drop.” Curran then heard Henry
discharge his firearm one time, yelling, “Drop the knife,” Curran heard the knife hit the floor
and the victim exited the bathroom and Curran guided him to safety. At this point, Henry
immediately keyed his handset and stated, “Shots fired, shots fired.”
Curran then went onto Channel One and requested medics to come in. Curran could
hear Henry also calling for medics and saying, “Shots fired, party shot.” Henry attempted to
contact dispatch several times with no response. Curran waited for Henry to finish, then he
keyed his handset again and stated, “Bridgeport, are we coming over? We need medics, 351
Clinton Ave. Shots fired party down.” Eventually, the officers heard that dispatch received
their requests and heard other units being dispatched to their location.
Henry asked Curran to pick up Henry’s Taser from the floor and to request a second bus
for the victim. Curran did that as Henry tended to the suspect (Juan). Juan began to move and
attempted to get up. The officers told him to stay still, but Juan got to his feet and attempted
to exit the bathroom. Eventually the officers got control of Juan’s arms and Henry handcuffed
him. The officers took Juan back down to the floor but he continued to kick and attempt to get
back on his feet.
When other officers and medics arrived, they assisted Curran and Henry in moving Juan
from the bathroom to a stretcher in the hall. A second set of medics assisted the victim. Both
Juan and the victim were transported to hospitals to be treated for their injuries.
For a copy of Officer Sean Curran’s complete statement, please click here.
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Digital Evidence
The two Bridgeport police officers who responded to the scene at 351 Clinton Avenue
were equipped with body worn cameras. EDMCS detectives downloaded the camera
recordings on a thumb drive and seized it as evidence.
During the incident, Henry wore a chest mounted Getac BC-02 body worn camera serial
# BC22007203-R07. The total recording time is 13 minutes and 8 seconds.
1:20:35a.m.
The beginning of the video shows Henry entering the first floor of 351 Clinton Ave.,
Bridgeport, CT. Alexander Alejandro is walking in front of Henry. Inside the first floor,
Alejandro walks up a few steps and comes back down. Alejandro speaks with Henry
1:20:54a.m.
1:21:05a.m.
Programmed computer voice states “Recording” indicating the beginning of the video
and audio recording. Henry is at the top of the stairs leading to the second floor. The door was
closed and locked. Henry uses the key provided by Alejandro, to unlock the door. Alejandro is
heard saying, “He just kicked my neighbor’s door in, third floor.”
1:21:13a.m.
Henry opens the door and is on the second floor. Banging is heard in the background.
1:21:17a.m.
Henry rounds the corner to the stairs leading to the third floor. He raises his Taser and
points it toward upstairs. The Taser is on and light is illuminated. Henry states, “Bridgeport
Police.” Villa is at the top of the stairs wearing only boxers. Blood-like stains can be seen along
the railing and walls as well as on the outside of the bathroom door, which is closed.
1:21:20a.m.
14
Villa runs out of camera view. Henry yells at Villa, “Hey! Hey! Hey!” Alejandro yells,
“Darrick! Yo! You okay?” Darrick yells back, “No.” Alejandro yells, “The cops are here.” Henry
uses his police radio to request a Sergeant to respond. There is no indication that Henry’s
request transmits. Alejandro tells Henry which room Villa is in. Henry tells Alejandro to give
him a second.
1:21:35a.m.
Henry is a few steps from the top of the stairs. Villa is fighting with Stanley in the
bathroom. Villa is holding a large knife in his left hand and swinging the knife at Stanley’s body.
Villa’s back is toward Henry. The red laser dot from Henry’s Taser is visible on Villa’s back.
1:21:36a.m.
Henry runs up the stairs as Villa swings the knife at Stanley’s body again. Henry deploys
the Taser. Villa continues to fight with Stanley while still holding the knife. Henry yells, “Fuck!
Fuck! Fuck!” and runs toward the two men. Stanley is using his hands to prevent Villa’s assaults
but Villa is still swinging the knife at Stanley’s body.
1:21:39a.m.
Knife in hand, Villa continues to attack Stanley. Henry throws the Taser down and grabs
his firearm pointing it at Villa. Henry yells, “Hey! Hey! Hey! Drop!”
1:21:41a.m.
Villa continues to swing at Stanley’s body with the knife. Henry discharges his firearm
striking Villa in the lower right side/back area. As Villa goes down to the floor, Henry yells,
”Drop the knife.” Villa goes down into a sitting position with his back against the bathtub and
legs extended. The knife can be heard falling to the floor. Stanley exits the bathroom and out
of camera view.
1:21:43a.m.
Henry notifies dispatch, “Shots fired, shots fired.” Villa attempts to stand up and Henry
yells, “Hold up! Don’t move! Don’t move!” Villa slides down to a laying position on the floor.
1:21:55a.m.
Henry notifies dispatch again, “Shots fired. Shots fired. Party shot. Party shot. Radio.
Shots fired. Party shot.” Curran uses his radio to request medics. Henry notifies dispatch that
15
a party was shot and to send medics. Dispatch acknowledges that shots were fired and medics
requested. Dispatch requests another unit to respond.
1:22:34a.m.
Henry is standing in the bathroom with Villa. Curran is just outside of the bathroom.
Henry points and asks Curran to grab his Taser. Curran picks it up. Henry tells Curran to tell
dispatch that they have another victim. Curran notifies dispatch to send another bus; that
there are two victims and one was shot. Curran hands Henry his Taser. Henry powers it down
and holsters it.
1:23:02a.m.
Henry states, “I hit him on the side.” Blood is seen pooling on the floor underneath
Villa. Henry take hold of Villa’s right wrist and attempts to roll him over onto his side. Villa
pulls away from Henry. Henry states, “Hey, hey, hey,” as he attempts to gain control of Villa by
grabbing his arm. Curran states, “Stay still. Stay still boss.” Villa disregards the commands and
stands up. Villa is combative and struggles with the officers in an attempt to leave the
bathroom.
1:23:45a.m.
Henry and Curran gain control of Villa. Henry handcuffs him behind his back.
1:23:49a.m.
Bridgeport Police Sergeant Scott Waehler walks up the stairs and asks, “You guys all
right?” Henry replies. “Ya, ya, ya. He got up and started fighting again.” Waehler asks, “Did
one of you do it? Shoot him?” Henry acknowledges that he was the shooter.
[The balance of the video records the activity of the EMS medics tending to Villa and
Stanley as well as Henry’s interaction with the other police officers who came to the scene.]
During the incident, Curran was wearing a chest mounted Getac BC-02 body worn
camera serial # BC2200223-R07. There are two video files from Curran’s BWC with recordings
of 13 minutes, 17 seconds and 32 seconds.
16
The video starts at 1:20:30a.m., showing Curran on scene outside of 351 Clinton
Avenue. At 1:21:00a.m., Curran enters the first floor. Alexander Alejandro is on the stairs
leading to the second floor and Officer Henry is in front of him. Curran walks past Alejandro on
the stairs and Alejandro states, “He’s fucking up my neighbor.” Henry unlocks the door to the
second floor and Henry and Curran enter the second floor.
[The remainder of the video is consistent with the events and actions documented in
Henry’s BWC.]
The second video file shows Curran handling the BWC as he takes it off his person. The
recording has no evidentiary value to the OIS investigation.
Detectives examined BWC recordings from the Bridgeport police officers who
responded to the scene after the shooting. These recordings do not capture the events of the
stabbing or shooting.
Hospital Records
Darrick Stanley
Detectives obtained a written authorization from Stanley to receive the records for the
medical treatment Stanley received at Yale New Haven Health Bridgeport Hospital. The
hospital provided detectives with 117 pages of records that indicate the following:
Examination of the head, eyes, nose and throat revealed superficial lacerations to the
face and a large laceration to the posterior of the neck. In the emergency department, the neck
wound was closed with sutures for hemostasis and he was evaluated for surgery.
Darrick Stanley
18
Darrick Stanley
Juan Villa
EDMCS detectives obtained and executed a search warrant for any and all medical
records in the name of Juan Esteban Villa Ramirez aka Juan Villa for treatment he receives at St.
Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport from September 16, 2020 to October 14, 2020 for
injuries he sustained on September 16, 2020. In response, the hospital produced a disc
containing 3,543 pages of medical records. A summary of those records follows. 7
7
Given the volume of medical records, this report contains only a summary of Villa’s injuries. No effort is made
here to detail the extensive treatment provided to Villa during his twenty-nine day hospital stay.
19
The Hospital staff took Villa to the operating room on the day of his admission and
diagnosed him with retained bullet to right flank, laceration to the lower pole of right kidney,
right pneumothorax with fractured rib, and laceration of the liver. At the time of his discharge,
the records identified his injuries as, right 11th rib fracture, Grade III liver laceration, Grade III
renal laceration of right kidney, L3 anterior vertebral body fracture with retained bullet, L4
transverse process fracture, and fight hand lacerations (multiple).
A toxicology analysis of his blood collected on September 16, 2020 at 1:55a.m. showed
0.080 mg/dl ethanol. A urine drug screening from urine collected on September 16, 2020 at
5:34a.m. was positive for Benzodiazepine and Fentanyl.
Scene
Eastern District Major Crime Squad (EDMCS) detectives processed the scene located at
351 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport. They did so pursuant to a search warrant that authorized
them to search and seize items located on the third floor, common areas on the second floor,
and the staircases leading to the second and third floors.
On September 16, 2020, the building at 351-353 Clinton Avenue was a multi-family
residential dwelling housed in one structure. The front of the residence faced Clinton Avenue.
There was a front door to access 351 Clinton Avenue and a separate front door to access 353.
351 Clinton Avenue consisted of three floors plus a basement and, at the time, was used as a
rooming house. The exterior was brown and beige in color; a chain link fence enclosed the
front yard.
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351-353 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport
21
351-353 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport
22
351-353 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport
23
351-353 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport
First Floor
The brown front door to 351 Clinton Avenue appeared to be of wood with an oval
window. Upon entry through the front door, a wooden staircase led to the second floor. On
the floor near the entrance, were multiple Taser wires.
The staircase leading to the second floor had dark colored wood treads and the riser
portion was white. On several steps were single blood-like stains. Also on the stairs were
additional Taser wire strands extending to the second floor landing.
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First Floor Landing
25
Second Floor Landing
26
Second Floor
A white door opened into the second floor. There were blood-like stains and patterns
on the interior and exterior of the door. The blood-like stain on the exterior of the door had
characteristics of transfer pattern and the blood-like stain on the interior of the door was
characteristic of a cast-off pattern.8
Common Room/Kitchen
The doorway into the second floor led to a common room. The opening in the
southwest was off the common room that led to the common kitchen. There was also an
opening in the northwest wall of the kitchen leading to a staircase. There were blood-like
stains on the kitchen’s tile floor characteristic of a drip pattern. Detectives also observed
blood-like stains near the baseboard, on the aluminum sink, and on a cabinet door. The blood-
like stain on the cabinet door was indicative of a transfer pattern. There were also blood-like
stains characteristic of a transfer pattern on the edge of the northwest wall near a light switch.
On the northeast hallway wall near the opening to the kitchen was a grouping of blood-
like transfer stains, several of which contained friction ridge detail suggestive of a hand print.
A hallway led to a staircase that led to the third floor. On the hallway’s northwest wall
were circular and elliptically shaped blood-like stains arranged in a linear pattern characteristic
of a cast-off pattern. At the end of the hallway was a closed door. On the floor in this area,
8
According to the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science, blood stain patterns are
categorized as follows:
Drip: A bloodstain pattern resulting from a drop formed due to gravity;
Swipe: A bloodstain pattern resulting from the transfer of blood from a blood-bearing surface to another surface
with characteristics that indicate relative motion between the two surfaces;
Spatter: A bloodstain pattern resulting from an airborne blood drop created when an external force is applied to
liquid blood;
Impact: A bloodstain pattern resulting from an object striking liquid blood;
Cast-off: A bloodstain pattern resulting from blood drops released from an object due to its motion;
Transfer: A bloodstain pattern resulting from contact between a blood-bearing surface and another surface;
Wipes: An altered bloodstain pattern resulting from an object moving through a preexisting wet bloodstain;
Pools: A bloodstain pattern from an accumulation of liquid blood on a surface. Detectives found all of these
various types of bloodstain patens at 351 Clinton Avenue.
27
were several circularly-shaped blood-like stains characteristic of drip stains. On the northwest
wall, detectives observed elliptical blood-like spatter stains.
The staircase treads were dark-colored wood and the risers were white. There was also
a white railing on the left. In front of the railing on the wall was white molding. There were
blood-like stains characteristic of transfer and swipes on the molding, the wall next to the
molding, and along portions of the rail. The pattern on the molding was indicative of palm and
finger.
28
Palm Pattern
On each stair, were single irregularly and circularly shaped blood-like stains. Groups of transfer
stains were located on the wall near the third floor landing.
Third Floor
The third floor consisted of a bathroom and three bedrooms. The room at the south
end of the third floor was identified as Alexander Alejandro’s room. Adjacent to the room was
Darrick Stanley’s room. At the end of the hallway, on the northeast side, was Juan Villa’s room.
The bathroom was on the southwest side. The third floor’s flooring was dark wood except the
bathroom that had light-colored tile flooring.
On the landing near the stairs, were several irregularly shaped blood-like stains. On the
baseboard and lower portion of the northwest wall, were blood-like stains characteristic of
29
swipes and a pattern transfer. The pattern transfer stain was suggestive of transfer from fabric
footwear.
Blood-like stains were on the southwest wall between the bedroom and Alejandro’s
room. The stains were characteristic of a cast-off pattern. On the half wall above the stairs was
a blood-like stain characteristic of a drip pattern.
On the floor in front of the bathroom, was a blood-like stain that was altered. Also in
this area, were Taser strands [Placard 10], broken glass, and a fired cartridge casing. [Placard 9]
The casing had a blood like substance on it. In the area, were two green Taser blast doors that
had a blood-like substance on them.[Placard 5] On the floor next to the southeast wall and the
door to Alejandro’s room was a “Thyme & Table” 7 inch stainless steel knife with a black
handle. On the knife was a blood-like substance and a hair follicle. [Placard 8]
30
Floor in Front of Bathroom
31
Fired Cartridge Casing
32
Taser Blast Doors
33
“Thyme & Table”
7” Knife
A white wooden door led into the bathroom from the hallway. The door was damaged
in the area above the doorknob extending to the middle of the door. There was a standard
white toilet on the southeast wall. The toilet seat was up. There were blood-like stains on the
rim and base of the toilet characteristic of swipes. To the left of the toilet was a standard white
sink vanity. To the right of the “cold” knob of the faucet, was an irregular shaped blood-like
spatter stain. In the sink, were pieces of broken glass (Placard 11). In the southwest area of
the bathroom, was a standard white shower and tub. There were blood-like stains in a linear
arrangement on the shower curtain and inside the shower wall characteristic of a cast-off
pattern.
34
Third Floor Bathroon Door
35
Third Floor Bathroom
36
Third Floor Bathroom Sink
37
Third Floor Tub/Shower
Covering the floor were multiple blood-like patterns that included altered stains, transfer, drip
stains, pools, wipes, and swipes. There were numerous blood-like transfers characteristic of
footwear on the bathroom floor.
38
Third Floor Bathroom Floor
39
Third Floor Bathroom Floor
There were blood-like transfer stains on the threshold of the bathroom. On the floor near the
vanity was a Taser probe with a Taser wire attached.
40
Third Floor Bathroom Threshold
41
Taser Probe
The white wooden door to Stanley’s room was open and damaged as if it had been
forced open. On the hallway floor in front of Stanley’s room, were blood-like stains
characteristic of a drip track. The room was in disarray with items knocked over, broken, and
scattered. In the center of the room, was a medical transport chair left by Emergency Medical
Services. Underneath this chair was zippered fleece with a Taser probe imbedded in its lower
portion.
Blood-like stains were found on a closet door and on the broken lid of a Styrofoam
cooler on the floor in front of the closet. A black plastic shelving unit was knocked over. In this
42
general area, were broken pieces of glass with blood-like substances on them. In the southern
corner of the room on the floor and walls were multiple blood-like stains.
On both the exterior and interior doorknobs of the room were blood-like transfer stains.
Upon entry and throughout the entire room, were blood-like stain patterns characteristic of
drip trails. Near the southwest wall was a convertible bed and couch. On the exposed area of
the bed/couch were blood-like spatter stains suggestive of cast-off patterns.
43
Juan Villa’s Room
On the southwest was of the room was a closet. Hanging on the exterior closet
doorknob was a red “North Face” backpack. Included in the contents of the backpack were a
personal identification of citizenship card, social security card, and Republic of Colombia
driver’s license all in the name of Juan Esteban Villa Ramirez.
44
Backpack (And Contents) Recovered from Juan Villa’s Room
Also located in the closet was a gray bag with a Sprint emblem containing prescription
medications in the name of Juan Villa. The prescription medication consisted of Risperidone,
Benztropine, and Trazodone.
45
Medication
The Risperidone prescription was filled on 7/3/20 with a quantity of 18 pills. The
directions were to take three tablets twice a day. Detectives counted 20 pills in the bottle.
Risperidone is an antipsychotic medicine used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in
adults. The Benztropine prescription was filled on 7/13/20 with a quantity of 60 pills. The
directions were to take one tablet twice a day. There were 59 pills remaining. Benztropine
reduces the effects of certain chemicals in the body that may be unbalanced because of
disease, drug therapy, or other causes. The Trazodone prescription was filled on 7/13/20 with a
quantity of 30 pills. The directions were to take one pill nightly. There were 27 pills remaining.
Trazodone is an antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder. It works by helping to
restore the balance of serotonin in the brain.
Detectives concluded that Villa was not taking the prescribed medication in compliance
with the prescription directions.
46
Forensics
EDMCS detectives seized multiple items that were sent to the Department of
Emergency Services and Public Protection Division of Scientific Services aka Forensic Science
Laboratory for scientific analysis. The following is a summary of the relevant findings.
Fingerprints
Detectives submitted four items of evidence to the Forensic Science Laboratory for
fingerprint analysis: (1) Officer Henry’s Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol with magazine
and rounds, (2) Officer Curran’s Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol with magazine and
rounds, (3) Chef style kitchen knife with brand stamp, “Thyme & Table,” and (4) Shard of
triangular-shaped curved broken glass approximately 3” x 2.5”.
The Forensic Science Laboratory found no fingerprint impressions of value on any of the
items.
Firearms
The Forensic Science Laboratory successfully test fired both Officer Henry’s Smith &
Wesson semi-automatic pistol and Officer Curran’s Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol.
The Laboratory determined that a .45 caliber spent cartridge casing recovered from the
bathroom floor was fired from Officer Henry’s firearm.
DNA
As detailed above, blood-like stains were found throughout the scene of the incident.
Swabs of these stains and several stained items were submitted to the Laboratory by the
detectives. As relevant to this investigation, the Laboratory reported the following results:
Darrick Stanley
9
The Forensic Science Laboratory described the results in these terms: the DNA profile on the identified item is at
least 100 billion times more likely to occur if it came from Darrick Stanley than if it came from an unknown
individual.
47
3. The blade, handle, and tip of the Thyme & Table knife; and
4. Swabs from the second floor handrail.
Juan Villa
10
See footnote 9.
48
FINDINGS
1. On September 16, 2020 at approximately 1:18a.m., Bridgeport Police Officers Eliud Henry, II
and Sean Curran were dispatched to 351 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut on a “check
the welfare” call.
2. Upon arrival at 351 Clinton Avenue at approximately 1:20a.m., they met Alexander
Alejandro who told them that there was a person upstairs beating up a neighbor. Alejandro
handed Officer Henry a set of keys so as to unlock the second floor door. Alejandro told the
officers, “I think he has a knife.” He further stated, “He’s fucking up my neighbor. He just
fucking kicked my neighbor’s whole door in, third floor.”
3. As Henry and Curran proceeded up the stairs, they heard a loud noise that sounded like
someone hitting a door. Henry removed his Taser as he walked to the base of the steps leading
to the third floor. Alejandro yelled out “Darrick” and Henry yelled out “Bridgeport Police.”
From his position on the stairs, Henry saw Juan Villa at the top of the stairs wearing only boxer
shorts and covered in blood. In addition, the door Villa had been banging on was covered in
blood. Alejandro called out, “Darrick are you okay?” Darrick Stanley responded, “No.”
4. Henry saw Villa run out of his field of view but then run back across the hallway and break
open the bathroom door with his shoulder. Henry ran up the stairs and saw that Villa had a
large knife in his hand and was stabbing and slashing at Stanley’s upper body. Stanley was
attempting to protect himself by grabbing Villa’s arms. Henry saw that Stanley was bleeding
from the head.
5. Henry deployed his Taser at Villa’s right side. Although Villa yelled and hesitated a split
second, he continued to attack Stanley with the knife.
6. Henry dropped his Taser, drew his department-issue firearm, and approached Villa and
Stanley. At the bathroom door, Henry yelled, “Drop, hey, hey, drop!” This command had no
effect and Henry pointed his gun at Villa firing one round. The bullet struck Villa in his right side
and he fell to the bathroom floor. Henry yelled, “Drop the knife” and saw or heard the knife hit
the floor. Curran, who was behind Henry during the entire incident, escorted Stanley out to a
safe place.
7. Henry took hold of Villa’s right wrist and attempted to roll him on his side so as to slow the
bleeding. Villa resisted Henry’s efforts to administer first aid and became combative requiring
Henry and Curran to restrain him. The officers requested dispatch send ambulances to the
49
scene. Several of these radio communications did not transmit but ultimately medics did
arrive.
8. Stanley went to Bridgeport Hospital for treatment. He suffered two serious lacerations to
the back of his head and a laceration to his face. He suffered a 50 ml blood loss.
9. Villa went to St. Vincent’s Medical Center for treatment. He spent twenty-nine days in the
hospital due to internal injuries from the gunshot wound.
10. EDMCS detectives processed the scene seizing a large kitchen knife branded “Thyme &
Table” with blood-like stains. The detectives also swabbed numerous areas of the building that
contained blood-like stains. They also documented the damaged doors and general disarray of
the apartments.
11. Analysis of the knife revealed the presence of DNA profiles that matched both Villa and
Stanley.
12. Villa suffered from mental illness for which he was prescribed medication. He was not
compliant with taking this medication as instructed. Villa’s toxicological screen taken at St.
Vincent’s Medical Center after the incident showed a 0.080 mg/dl ethanol level in his blood and
benzodiazepine and fentanyl in his urine.
50
LEGAL STANDARD
The use of force by a police officer is governed by General Statutes §53a-22. The
version of that statute in effect on September 16, 2020, in relevant part, provided:
“(a) For purposes of this section, a reasonable belief that a person has committed an offense
means a reasonable belief in facts or circumstances which if true would in law constitute an
offense, an erroneous though not unreasonable belief that the law is otherwise does not
render justifiable the use of force to make an arrest or prevent an escape from custody. A
peace officer … who is effecting an arrest pursuant to a warrant or preventing an escape from
custody is justified in using the physical force prescribed in subsections (b) and (c) of this
section unless such warrant is invalid and known by such officer to be invalid.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, a peace officer … is justified in using
physical force upon another person when and to the extent that he or she reasonably believes
such to be necessary to: (1) Effect an arrest or prevent the escape from custody of a person
whom he or she reasonably believes to have committed an offense unless he or she knows that
the arrest or custody is unauthorized; or (2) defend himself or herself or a third person from the
use or imminent use of physical force while effecting or attempting to effect an arrest or while
preventing or attempting to prevent an escape.
(c) A peace officer … is justified in using deadly force upon another person for the purposes
specified in subsection (b) of this section only when he or she reasonably believes such to be
necessary to : (1) Defend himself or herself or a third person from the use or imminent use of
deadly physical force …” (Emphasis added).
General Statutes §53a-22.
Accordingly, a police officer is justified in using deadly physical force upon another
person when the officer reasonably believes such force to be necessary to defend the officer or
a third person from the use or imminent use of deadly physical force. “Deadly physical force”
means “physical force that can be reasonably expected to cause death or serious physical
injury.” General Statutes §53a-3(5). “Serious physical injury” means “physical injury which
creates a substantial risk of death, or which causes serious disfigurement, serious impairment
of health or serious loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ.” General Statutes
§53a-3(4).
51
necessary to defend himself/herself or a third person. Id. If it is determined that the police
officer honestly believed that deadly force was necessary, the second part of the test asks
whether the police officer’s honest belief was reasonable from the perspective of a reasonable
police officer in the officer’s circumstances. Id., 198.
The United States Supreme Court has explained this test in a civil rights case: “The
‘reasonableness’ of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a
reasonable officer on scene rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight. . . .The calculus of
reasonableness must embody allowance of the fact that police officers are often forced to
make split-second decisions—in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving—
about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation.” Graham v. Connor, 490
U.S. 386, 396–97, 109 S. Ct. 1865, 104 L. Ed. 2d 443 (1989).
52
ANALYSIS
1. Did the officer, as a matter of fact, actually – that is honestly and sincerely – believe
that he/she or a third person was facing either the actual or imminent use of deadly force when
the officer used deadly force?
2. Was that actual belief reasonable in the sense that a reasonable police officer in the
officer’s circumstances at the time of the officer’s actions, viewing those circumstances from
the officer’s point of view, would have shared that belief?
3. Did the officer, as a matter of fact, actually –that is honestly and sincerely –believe
that the use of deadly force was necessary to defend himself/herself or a third person from
such threat?
4. Was that actual belief reasonable, in the sense that a reasonable police officer in the
officer’s circumstances at the time of the officer’s actions, viewing those circumstances from
the officer’s point of view, would share the belief that deadly force was necessary?
Officer Henry observed Juan Villa stabbing and slashing Darrick Stanley with a large
knife. Henry actually believed that Stanley was facing the use of deadly force that could result
in serious physical injury or death. Such actual belief was not exaggerated or unfounded and a
reasonable police officer, viewing the circumstances from Henry’s point of view, would have
shared that belief.
Officer Henry also actually believed that discharging his firearm was necessary to stop
Villa’s attack on Stanley. Henry’s earlier efforts to stop Villa through verbal commands and the
use of a Taser had been unsuccessful. Such belief that the use of deadly force was necessary
was reasonable because a reasonable police officer in the same circumstances at the time
would have shared that belief.
53
CONCLUSION
The investigation establishes that Officer Henry used deadly force against Juan Villa to
stop Villa’s active knife attack against Darrick Stanley. I therefore conclude that such use of
force was justified under Connecticut law. The Office of Inspector General will take no further
action on this matter.
_____________________________
ROBERT J. DEVLIN, JR.
INSPECTOR GENERAL
54
ADDENDUM
Recommendations
1. At crucial times during this incident, Officers Henry and Curran were unable to communicate
with Bridgeport Police Department dispatch. Immediately after the shooting, they each made
multiple attempts to summon assistance that did not transmit to dispatch. While the delay in
arrival of medics did not seem adversely to affect the medical recovery of Villa or Stanley, such
might not be the case with a more seriously wounded victim.
Recommendation: The Bridgeport Police Department inspect, test, and, if necessary, upgrade
its communication system.
2. Officer Henry twice unsuccessfully attempted to activate his body worn camera.
Apparently, the covert cover on the camera prevented him from seeing that the “on” light was
not illuminated. It was only after he slid the cover open, that he realized that the light was off
and was then able to activate the camera.
Recommendation: POST should use Officer Henry’s real life experience as a training tool to
emphasize the need to ensure that officers turn on their BWCs.
Appendix
55
Run Date: 09/16/2020
CSP Troop G
RunTime: 07:20
VICTIM/WITNESS STATEMENT
nr
te: Time Started: Time Ended: CFS #:
09/16/2020 06:21 07:10 2000402726
Location: Statement taken by:
Yale New Haven Bridgeport Hospital AVERY. JARED
I, Darrick Stanley(DOB 04/07/1970 Contact# 203 953-1981) live at an apartment at 351 Clinton Ave,
Bridgeport, CT where I rent a room on the second floor. There are 2 other rooms that are rented on the
2nd floor with me. I rent the middle room. The room that is near the bathroom is rented by Alex, who is
Puerto Rican about 40 years old and is about 5'8" and 235 pounds. Alex's girlfriend just moved in with
Alex a couple days ago. She is Spanish, about 5'10", heavy set with brown hair. 1 don't know Alex's last
name or his girlfriends first name. The room that is near the street is rented by Juan. Juan is Mexican, with
a beard and mustache. He is about 5'8" about 155 lbs and doesn't have any tattoos. I don’t know Juan's
last name either. We all moved In about 2 months ago, but Juan had moved In about a week before me.
There is a shared bathroom on the 2nd floor and we share a living room and kitchen on the 1st floor. I
have never had any issues with Alex or his girlfriend before and the only issue ,l have had with Juan is that
'asked him to turn down his music because he plays it loud when I come home from work. I'm the
Manager at a Boston Market in Fairfield where I usually work from 3 PM to 10 PM or from 9 AM to 7 PM.
Juan never seemed to mind me asking and he would turn the music down If I asked. On Tuesday,
September 15, 2020 around 10:30 AM, I was In my room when I saw Juan go out of his room and into the
hallway. Alex's girlfriend was cleaning up in the hallway and Juan said something to her in Spanish. Alex's
girlfriend went into her and Alex's room and she was terrified to come out. Juan went back into his room
and then a few minutes later I got a call from Alex. Alex asked me to go tell his girlfriend to give him a call
and that he was on his way home. Right after that the Police arrived at the apartment and came up to talk
to Juan. The paramedics came up to the apartment too and then Juan left in the Paramedic truck. Juan
looked like he was on some kind of drug but I don’t know if he uses any drugs. About 2 hours later Juan
came back to the apartment. Alex and his girlfriend weren’t there and Juan didn't say anything to me. I was
By affixing my signature to this statement, I acknowledge that I have read it and / or have had it read to me and it is true to the best
of my knowledge & belief.
Name of Person making Statement: Signature of Person making Date:
Stanley. Darrick Statement: 09/16/2020
Parent/Guardian Name: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date:
Personally appeared the signer of the foregoing statement and made oath before me to the truth of the matters contained therein,
if notarized, endorse here:
VICTIWI/WITNESS STATEMENT
By affixing my signature to this statement, I acknowledge that I have read it and / or have had it read to me and it Is true to the best
of my knowledge & belief.
Name of Person making Statement: Signature of Person making Date:
Stanley, Darrick Statement: 09/16/2020
Parent/Guardian Name: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date:
Personally appeared the signer of the foregoing statement and made oath before me to the truth of the matters contained therein,
if notarized, endorse here:
I make the following statement, without fear, threat or promise, knowing that it may be used against me in court. I have been advised of
my right to remain silent, that I have a right to consult with an attorney prior to any questioning and to have the attorney present during
the questioning: that, If i do talk to the police, I can terminate the questioning at any time; and that If! cannot afford an attorney, one will
be appointed for me by the court. I understand the above rights and, at this time,,waive them. I have also been advised that any
8tatement(s) made herein which I do not believe to be true, and which statement is Intended to mislead a public senranl in the
performance of his / her official function, Is a crime under C.G.S.section 53a-157b and Is punishable by law.
On September 16, 2020, at approximately 0118 hours, I, P/0 E. Henry II, was dispatched to a check the welfare call at
351 Clinton Avenue. I recall observing, either on my MDT or radio, the caller stating that the responsible party was running
through the hallway, acting crazy and yelling. AMR was also stated to be staging per my police monitor.
At approximately 0120 hours, I arrived at 351 Olnton Avenue. I observed a male (witness) standing on the front porch of
351 Clinton Avenue, waving his phone to get my attention. I stepped out of my patrol vehicle and could hear yelling and a
commotion coming from somewhere Inside of the residence. At this point, I pushed the button on my"BWC''to begin
recording (later found to not have started to record). The male stated that we better huny up and that the responsible
party was upstairs and was beating up a neighbor. I advised dispatch of the information just given to me and to send
another assisting unit as well as a supervisor (I later-found that my transmission did not transmit).
The witn^ handed me a set of keys, held out one key, gnd stated it was to unlock the 2f^ floor door. The witness also
made a statement to the effect of'T think he has a knife". Besides a commotion coming from upstairs, I could not hear
any talking or yelling coming from Inside the house. Due to exigent circumstances In which the witness stated that the
responsible party might have a knife as well as he was beating someone up; R/O's made the decision to make entry and
assess the situation. The witness stated "He's fucking up my neighbor. He just fucking kicked my neighbor's whole door
1/
In, 3«i floor.
By affixing my signature to this statement, I acknowledge that I have read it and / orhave had it read to me and it is true to the best
of my knowledge & belief.
Name of Person making Statement: Signature^^er^onm^l^g Statement: Date:
PemoHfiU^appeared the signer of the foregoing st< It and made oath before me to the truth of the matters rantained therein.
If n6ar}zed> endorse here:
z JAMES C. FRAENZA
James Fraei
Oath Taken By: Z ta
I notary PtiDtc.t>Qieotm:iicm
My CoiiirriissiDn Expires October 31,2025
DPS-630-C 11/05/13) An AJJirmative Aciion/Egual EmploymetU Opportantty Employer Page Jl_ of^
1*0
7. 3
bTATSCOUSB
® STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
DIVISION OF STATE POLICE
Name Signature Date Signed
Prior to unlocking the door, I double chedced to e sure that my"BWC"was recording;(1)
f
I unlocked the door and immediately heard a loud noise that sounded like someone was hitting a door coming
from the 3rd floor. I removed my taser; and as I walked to the base of the steps leading to the 3rd floor I observed
blood drops on the floor as well as blood smeared on the hallway walls.
I slowly rounded the comer with my taser pointed at an upward angle due to not knowing how far up the
suspect might be. The witness yelled out “Derrick!" (victim); as I yelled out and announced "Bridgeport Pollcel
I looked and saw a male at the top of the stairs wearing only boxer shorts, covered In bipod. He quickly turned
and ran back down the hallway and out of my field of view. I obsen/ed the door the male was banging on was
covered in blood. The witness called out"Derrick you ok?" And a response from the victim was "no"; the
witness stated "the cops are here". I again got on the radio and stated "Hey Sgt, you want to come over here ?
(I later found that my transmission did not transmit). I took 1-2 steps up In an attempt to see If I could observe
anything upstairs but found Itto be uri^fe for myself and P/0 S. Curran (who was behind me)to advance
any further. We were tactically In the b^ position at that time for our safety. _
The suspect then ran back aaoss the hallway and broke the door open by ramming It with his shoulder. ““ 'I
I Immediately ran up the stairs yelling and tr^ng to get the suspects attention. I then saw that the suspect
had a large knife In his left hand and began to Inflict serious bodily injury, by stabbing and slashing the
victim In his upper body area. The victim was trying to protect himself by attempting to grab the suspecte
arms. I could also see that the victim was already bleeding from the head area and his shirt was bloodied.
I aimed and deployed my taser towards the suspect's right side. I heard the suspect yell and hesitate for a
split second; but the taser deployment seemed ineffective due to the suspect continuing to attack the victim
by stabbing at the victim with tiie knife.
I then threw down my taser and transitioned over to my department issued firearm. I dosed the distance to
make sure I had a dear shot of the suspect as well as ensuring the victim would nbt be in my line of fire.
(Note: the suspect and victim were both grabbing at eedi other). I reached the bathroom doorway and yelled
"Drop, hey, hey, drop!" At this point I needed to stop the suspect who was Inflicting serious bodily injury to the
victim and knew that if I didn’t stop the attack that the victim or a police-officer would be killed. I pointed my gun
directly at the suspect and I fired 1 round which struck the suspect in his right side area. The suspect immediately
turned and fell/sat on the ground with his back towards the bathtub. At the same time the suspect fell I yelled
"drop the knife!" and saw/heard the knife hit the bathroom floor. The victim walked out of the bathroom and P/0
S. Curran made sure to get him away from the suspect and to a safe area.
I immediately called "shots fired, shots fired" over the radio (did not transmit). And told the suspect "don't move", IL
which the suspect slumped back down and onto his back on the bathroom floor. I bolstered my firearm when I sav^
that the suspect was just lying on his back and I moved in and removed the knife which was laying on the suspect's
right side. I again called "shots fired, shots fired" as I tossed the knife into the hallway. I stated "party shot, party /
shot" over the radio. And again stat^ "radio, shots fired, party shot". ^
I grabbed the suspects left arm and slid him towards me to have control of him and to make sure.he did not atopt
to get up as I was speaking with P/0 S. Curran. P/0 S. Curran then attempted to contact dispatch and he stated.
"Bridgeport are we coming across?" We need medics 351 OlntOn Ave"; shots fired". I didn't think P/0 5. Curran
transmitted so I again tried "party shot radio, party shot". I then stated to P/0 S. Curran "tell them party.shot, s^d
medics". At the same time Dispatch stated over the radio "shots fired; party down at 351 Qinton Ave, we re getting
the medics".
Paee 2 of 3
DPS-630-C (i?ev. 11/05/13) An AJfmnative Acihn/Bqtia!Etnployinenf Opportunity Entployer
s
£^- OT/CTC POUCC
iJSWr-W' ® STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
DIVISION OF STATE POLICE
V.
Name Signature Date Signed
WiM^si Date:
Witness Name:
10/21/2020
John T. Moran
'I
I saw that my taser was on the hallway floor an as still powered on and asked P/0 S. Curran to hand it to
me so I could properly secure It At this point 11 that the victim was standing In the hallway with serious
Injuries to his toce and was bleeding heavily. I u«n stated to P/0 S. Curran "tell them another victim/ stabbed/
second victim". P/0 S. Curran advised dispatch to send another bus for "2 victims but only 1 party shot".
At this point I turned off my taser and properly secured It in my holster. I stated: "I hit him on his side" and observed
that there was a small puddle of blood forming under the suspects right side from the gunshot wound. My Intention to
administer first aid was to turn the suspect onto his side so that his wound was elevated and would slow the bleeding.
I stepped over the suspect In an attempt to turn him away from me and as I reached for his right arm the
suspect pulled his arm away; turned and began to get up. P/0 S. Curran entered the bathroom and gave several verbal
commands for the suspect to stay still but the suspect was actively resisting and trying to make his way out Into the
hallway. Due to the suspect being covered In blood; It made him slippery and he also did not have any dothing that we
could hold onto. I grabbed and pulled the suspects left arm towards me while P/0 S. Curran had the suspects right arm
and was blocking him from getting out of the bathroom. We eventually got control of the suspect's arms behind his back
and I handcuffed the suspect's wrists. At this point Sgt Waehler arrived on scene.
At this point the suspect continued to push his way toward the bathroom door. We brought the suspect down to the
floor. The suspect began to kick in an attempt to get back on his feet.
Assisting R/O's and medics arrived on scene at this time and I assisted with carrying the suspect out of the bathroom
and eventually onto the metal stretcher. I advised medics as to where the gunshot wound was. Medics also tended to
the victim who was In his bedroom. The suspect was eventually transported to St, Vincent's Hospital while the victim
was eventually transported to Bridgeport Hospital ot be treated for their injuries.
(1)I noticed that my"covert cover" on top of my"BWG" was on and was hiding the"BWC"lights. I slid ttie cover
open In which the"BWC"stated "Covert OfT and I noticed that my"BWC" was not recording. I pushed the
button to turn my"BWC"on before unlocking the door and making entry.
Statement
of 3oC) 3r : p^iT:i6t:fO0r
Town/City: state: <tT
1 make the following statement, without fear, threat or promise, knowing that it may be used against me in court. I have been advised of my
right to remain silent, that I have a right to consult with an attorney prior to any questioning and to have the attorney present during the
questioning; that, If I do talk to the police, I can terminate the questioning at any time; and that if I cannot afford an attorney, one will be
appointed for me by the court. 1 understand the above rights and, at this time, waive them. 1 have also been advised that any atatement(s)
made herein which I do not believe to be true, and which statement Is intended to mislead a public senrant in the performance of his / her
official function, Is a crime under C.G.S. section 53a-157b and is punishable by law.
On September 16,2020,1 Officer S. Curran was dispatched to 351 Clinton Ave on a check the welfare
call. CAD remarks showed the responsible "Juan" who lives on the 3'“* floor of 351 Clinton Ave was intoxicated
earlier and just broke a glass and now there was blood. Updated CAD remarks stated the responsible was
running through the hallways acting crazy and now is beating someone up upstairs and medics were staging.
upon arrival to 351 Clinton Ave. I observed a male party (witness)standing on the front porch waving
his arms. As 1 exited my patrol vehicle, I pushed the button on my BWCto begin recording. Officer Henry and
the witness were already entering the house as walked from my vehicle, 1 entered the house and made my
way past the witness on the stairs who stated;"He's fucking up-my neighbor, he Just kicked
my neighbors' door in, 3"* floor." The male gave Officer Henry a set of keys and he unlocked the door to the
second floor. As we entered the narrow second floor area, 1 could hear commotion (Banging)coming from the
third floor.The male(witness) hollered up the stairs "Derrick you ok,the police are here" and I could hear a
voice from upstairs reply "No". We made our way to the 3"* floor stairwell which was only a few feet away and
the banging continued. Officer Henry was in front of me and had his taser out as we got to the bottom ofthe
stairwell. We identified ourselves as Bridgeport Police Officers and the Banging stopped. We positioned
ourselves at the bottom of the stairwell and listened. Officer Henry was at the bottom step and 1 was to his
left. From the bottom ofthe stairwell to the 3^ floor, I observed blood smeared on the wall, doorjamb and
handrail. At this point I heard Officer Henry go on the radio and request a SGT to our location.
/
Seconds later I heard the suspect run back down the hall and saw him break through the same door he
was banging on when we arrived. That door turned out to be the door to the bathroom where the victim was
hiding. We immediately ran up the stairs and I could seethe suspect attacking the victim. As we ran up the
stairs, I heard Officer Henry deploy his taser shouting "Hey He/'. The taser deployment was Ineffective. As we
got to the top of the stairs, 1 could see the suspect had a large knife in his left hand and was actively stabbing
and slashing at the victim. Officer Henry dropped his taser and quickly switched to his firearm. At this time,!
had no line of sight and did not draw my firearm. I heard Officer Henry shout"Drop Drop" then I heard him
discharge his firearm one-time, yelling "Drop the knife". I heard the knife hit the floor and the victim exited
the bathroom and I guided him to safety. At this point Officer Henry immediately keyed
his handset and stated,"Shots fired shots fired".
I then went on Channel One and requested the medics to come in. I could hear Officer Henry calling for
the medics and saying,"Shots fired, party shot." Several times I heard Officer Henry attempt to contact
dispatch with no response. I waited for Officer Henry to finish; then keyed my handset again
and stated,"Bridgeport are we coming over we need medics,351 Clinton Ave,shots fired party down." What
Officer Henry and I didn't realize was we were not transmitting all our requests. Finally, we heard our requests
and dispatched requested other units to our location.
Officer Henry asked me to pick his laser up from the floor and request a second bus for our victim. 1
went on Chanel One and requested the second bus and stated two victims but only one party shot. 1 was
securing Officer Henry's laser and the suspects weapon while Officer Henry was tending to the suspect when
(S)Juari began to move and was attempting to get up. Despite commands to stay still (S)Juan gotto his feet
and began resisting our efforts to handcuff in an attempt to exit the bathroom. Officer Henry controlled his
left arm while I controlled his right arm.While we had (S)Juan controlled Officer Henry handcuffed him. We
then took him back down to the floor.(S)Juan continued to kick attempting to get back to his feet, but I
controlled his feet as Officer Henry controlled his upper body.SGT Waehler arrived at this time along with
assisting units and medics.
Assisting Officers and medics assisted us in moving(S)Juan from the bathroom to a stretcher in the
hall. The second team of medics assisted the victim in a nearby bedroom.(S)Juan was transported to St.
Vincent's and pur victim was transported to Bridgeport Hospital, both to be treated for their
respective injuries.
By affixing my signature to this statement. 1 acknowledge that! have read It and / or have had it read to me and it Is true to the best
of mv knowl^ge & befief.
Name of Person making Statement: Signature df Perso^aking Statement: Date: i i
AOJLO
Parent/Guardian
nt/Guardian Signs
nature: Da
Parent/Guardian Name:
Personally appeared the signer ofthe foregoing statement and made oath before me to the truth of the matters contained therein.
If notarized, endorse here:
Witnes!
Witne^Smnaturi Date
i ■)h0
m.