02/22/06

                                           STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE

                                         NEW HAVEN POLICE SHOOTING

On 02/22/06 in the early morning hours a New Haven Police Officer was working a construction project maintaining traffic control at East Street and Water Street in New Haven. At about 1:45 a.m. a male riding a bicycle approached the construction site and the male subject suddenly pulled a handgun and began to fire it at the officer.  The male suspect fired several shots and continued to ride the bicycle onto Long Wharf.

The officer was not injured.  The officer utilized a private vehicle and pursued the suspect on Long Wharf Drive. The Officer again encountered the suspect at the Intersection of Long Wharf Dr. and Canal Dock Rd.  At that location the suspect attempted to run towards the water and again fired at the officer. The Officer returned fire and wounded the suspect.  New Haven Police took the suspect into custody and he was found to be wearing a bulletproof vest. The suspect was transported by ambulance to Yale New Haven Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

The Officer was not wounded during this entire incident but he did suffer a leg injury. The Officer was transported by ambulance to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment of that injury.  THE OFFICER IS IDENTIFED AS OFFICER PAUL KENNEY, a 17-year veteran of the New Haven Police Department.  

New Haven Police secured the crime scene. At the request of the New Haven Police Chief Ortiz and the New Haven State’s Attorney the State Police Central District Major Crime Squad responded to the scene to conduct the investigation into this incident. 

State Police Detectives processed the physical and forensic evidence at the crime scene. Numerous witnesses were interviewed including the construction workers who witnessed the event. The State Police investigation is continuing. 

The suspect is identified as     Duane Cunningham   DOB: 9/11/68

                                                    Lka George St.

                                          New Haven, Ct.

Upon his release from the hospital, New Haven Police will charge the suspect with several felonies. 

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Sgt J. Paul Vance