STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE SHOOTING
                                           ON I-95 IN WEST HAVEN                        

      On 02/08/07 while conducting motor vehicle enforcement on I-95 a Connecticut State Trooper made a motor vehicle violation stop on I-95 southbound north of Guilford. As the Trooper was approaching the violator vehicle, the vehicle sped off.  The State Trooper pursued after the fleeing suspect car in an effort to stop it again and/or to obtain identification information. As the pursuit by State Police continued the suspect operator displayed a handgun in a threatening manner from the interior of the suspect car.

      Additional police assistance responded to the area and were able to deploy stop sticks in an attempt to safely disable the fleeing suspect car.  The suspect’s tires were successfully deflated but the suspect continued to flee southbound at slow speeds until the suspect car became disabled on I-95 in West Haven just south of exit #42.

        State Troopers positioned themselves to attempt to disarm the suspect and safely take him into custody. The suspect exited the disabled suspect car with the weapon displayed. The suspect disregarded Troopers verbal orders to disarm and surrender. He fled down the embankment in the wooded area adjacent to I-95.

      A State Police K-9 was deployed to apprehend the armed suspect. A gunshot was heard in the wooded area from the vicinity of the suspect. Troopers entered the wooded area to continue the search for the suspect and located him deceased from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound a short distance from his disabled car.     

      The area was secured by State Troopers and the State Police Western District Major Crime Squad responded to conduct the investigation into this incident. No shots were fired by any responding police.

      The Office of the Chief State’s Medical examiner will conduct a post mortem examination of the deceased to determine the manner and cause of death.

      State Police Detectives have a tentative identification of the 35 year old New Haven resident but are withholding that information pending notification of next of kin.

      The incident remains under investigation.       

      ###END###Lt. J. Paul Vance