Connecticut Chase Leaves 2 Officers Shot and Suspect Dead Near Hartford

Q: What exactly was the suspected illegal activity that sparked this deadly, multi-town police chase late Friday night?

It has not been publicly disclosed. Hartford police have said only that officers were investigating “suspected illegal activity” around 9 Fales Street in Hartford at about 11:07 p.m. Friday when the male suspect fled. In the struggle before the chase, an officer reported feeling what he believed was a gun in the suspect’s waistband. The suspect then got into a vehicle, leading to the pursuit into Newington and the later exchange of gunfire. A firearm was recovered at the scene, but authorities have not said whether the original investigation involved a weapons offense, narcotics activity, or some other crime. They also have not identified the suspect or clarified which officers fired their weapons. Because the Connecticut Office of Inspector General is now handling the deadly-force investigation, more details about the initial suspected activity may emerge later. For now, the exact illegal activity that triggered the encounter remains unknown.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 22

Two officers — Hartford's Alex Diaz and Rocky Hill's Jon Escobar — were shot late Friday after an attempted arrest in Hartford escalated into a chase and gunfire in Newington.
Police said officers were investigating illegal activity around 11:07 p.m. when a male suspect fled, struggled with an officer who felt a gun in his waistband, then drove off.
The pursuit ended on Webster Court in Newington, where the suspect got out of the car and exchanged gunfire with officers; a gun was recovered at the scene.
Both wounded officers were taken to a hospital and later released, with Hartford police saying Diaz was recovering at home Saturday.
The Connecticut Office of Inspector General is investigating the use of deadly force, while authorities have not identified the suspect or said which officers fired.