July 11--HARTFORD -- State police have been called in to investigate an overnight shooting in which a Hartford police officer shot two people, one fatally.
Acting Hartford Police Chief James Rovella said the shooting occurred shortly after 1 a.m. at an apartment complex at 60 Wadsworth St. Wadsworth Street runs between Buckingham and Park streets.
State police Lt. J. Paul Vance said officers with the Hartford police department's qualify of life task force observed what he described as suspicious activity in the driveway at 60 Wadsworth. Three officers approached a car, which they later determined had been stolen two days ago, and ordered those in the car to show their hands, Vance said.
The men in the car refused, and then the driver drove the car at the officers, Vance said.
Another officer tried to block the suspect's car with his patrol car, and the suspect rammed the police car then drove at the three officers, police said.
"A Hartford Police Department officer drew his service weapon and fired at the vehicle as it attempted to run the officers down," Vance said. "The vehicle went off the driveway and rammed into the house."
The driver was shot and killed and a front seat passenger was wounded. The third, who was in the back seat, was being interviewed by detectives. The wounded man was taken to Hartford Hospital and was undergoing surgery.
The car ended up inside the apartment unit it struck. Building officials have been called in in to check the structural integrity of that apartment unit.
The officers involved in the shooting will be assigned to administrative duty as state police investigate the shooting.
Copyright 2012 - The Hartford Courant, Conn.
