Use of force in deadly Hartford officer involved shooting found justified

TOLLAND — The State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford released its independent report of last year’s Hartford deadly officer-involved shooting, finding that use of force by police were justified. “I again extend my condolences to Mr. Zaporta’s family on the tragic loss of their loved one,” State’s Attorney Gedansky said. “I also wish to thank the Connecticut State Police, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Forensic Science Laboratory and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for their exhaustive work on this matter.” After months of gathering evidence, including police body camera, the report said that the use of force resulting in Mr. Zaporta’s death was justified under Connecticut state law to protect. You can read the full report in its entirety, by clicking here. The family of Zaporta spoke only to FOX61 before the report was released. Olivia Richard, the mother of Zaporta said, “I’m very, very heartbroken at this point, I mean there is a hole in my heart that I won’t see my son again.” RELATED STORY Community reacts to reinstatement of HPD officers after fatal shooting According to Richard, the Tolland State’s Attorney office asked if she was interested in learning what investigators found when they concluded the investigation. She says what she learned left the family with questions. Richard said, “I’m told that the findings were justified, that this officer murdered my son in cold blood, shot him three times in the back of his head… I just don’t understand when I see the video with my hands up in the air.” The shooting happened on July 26, 2019, after a police pursuit started near Park Terrace in Hartford around 9:15 p.m. Officers attempted to pull over a car, but the car drove away. RELATED STORY Hartford officers placed on leave following I-84 shooting, have returned to work Police then followed the suspect to the I-84 westbound ramp on Capitol Avenue. Due to construction traffic at the time and stop sticks deployed by police, the car was stopped. FOX61 looked at the report provided by officials, inside it, investigators interviewed witnesses who said Zaporta knew that July 26th would be his last day on earth. In an interview, the other man in Zaporta’s car, said that during the deadly confrontation he yelled, “I’m ready to die and hops out yelling it.” Zaporta and a passenger got out of the car by a struggle ensued. RELATED STORY First on FOX61: Suspect in fatal police shooting was wanted since January During the struggle officials said Zaporta was able to take control of one of the detective’s gun, ripping his holster from his belt. The holster’s screws were damaged. A police detective on the scene then shot multiple times at Zaporta. The shots were deadly. Body camera footage of the shooting was released by police on July 29. Family members say even with the investigation justifying this lethal action it’s still not enough. Richard said, “I pray when I see my son again I hope that he knows that there is no excuse for anyone of them, that’s all I got to say, it’s just sad that we come to know that we have no trust in the police officers and there is nobody to turn to except God.”