The Associated Press
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - City police shot a mentally ill man to death outside an apartment complex Thursday after they said he came at them with two large knives - the second fatal shooting by New Haven police in five weeks.
Authorities did not release the names of the man killed or the officers involved Thursday night. It was not clear how many officers fired their guns. Four officers were reassigned to administrative duties pending an investigation by state police.
Police Chief Francisco Ortiz said firefighters responded just before 3:30 p.m. to a report of a caretaker suffering a knife injury at an assisted-living apartment complex. Police officers were called to the scene on Ella Grasso Boulevard.
“This particular individual came out to the police, had several knives in his possession - large kitchen knives,” Ortiz said. “My understanding is that the police officers discharged their weapons and shot the individual and unfortunately, and tragically, that person has died as a result of the injuries.”
Ortiz said the officers were forced to shoot the man when he came toward them and did not follow repeated orders to drop the knives.
“It’s an awful loss,” Ortiz said. “I can’t imagine officers that have to deal with taking someone’s life in the performance of their duties. That’s an immense responsibility.”
Thursday’s shooting was the fifth officer-involved shooting this year, and two of them were fatal, police said.
On Nov. 8, an off-duty New Haven police officer shot and killed a man in an elevator at a public housing complex during an argument over the officer’s dog.
The incident happened as Officer Elliot Rosa was moving into the building as part of a city program that has police officers living among public housing residents.
State police said Mack Lucky, 57, complained about the officer’s dog and, after the two entered an elevator, Lucky drew a knife. Authorities said Lucky advanced toward Rosa, who drew his service weapon and shot Lucky to death.
Rosa, who has been on the force about two years, was not injured. He has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
In October, police opened fire at a car they said tried to run them over during a drug investigation. Neighbors complained that police bullets could have hit innocent bystanders.
Thursday’s shooting occurred on the same day as a Board of Aldermen hearing into police shootings this year. Residents at the hearing questioned officers’ use of deadly force.
Ortiz attended the hearing and said some type of action to curb officer-involved shootings is needed.
“The statistics tell the story, and the story being told right now is that we have to reduce these shootings,” Ortiz said.
Mayor John DeStefano Jr. said he had many questions for the police department.
“I don’t want to prejudge the actions of the officers, but this isn’t the first officer-involved shooting this year,” DeStefano said. “We’ve had two in the last few months that have led to loss of life, and they raise questions that I want answers to quickly.”