Man Shot By Police In Cromwell In Stable Condition, Charged With Larceny (Was fleeing)

courant.com ^ | June 12, 2013 | CHRISTINE DEMPSEY and TONY TERZI

[raybbr]

CROMWELL—

A Cromwell police officer opened fire on an erratic driver who had crashed into buildings and vehicles early Wednesday, police said.

The driver, identified as 21-year-old Joshua Beaston, suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was in stable condition at Hartford Hospital Wednesday afternoon, according to state police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance.

Beaston has been charged with second-degree larceny, criminal mischief and trespassing, Vance said. He was placed under state police guard at the hospital with bail set at $500,000 until he can be arraigned.

Cromwell Police Chief Anthony Salvatore said the incident started around 4 a.m. with reports of an erratic driver crashing into vehicles and buildings.

Vance said the officer was driving down West Street when he saw the suspect traveling in the opposite direction.

The officer turned around and turned on his lights and sirens in an attempt to catch up. When the officer arrived at the intersection of West and Washington Streets, he saw the suspect's vehicle hit a concrete control box.

[raybbr]

"The officer encountered the suspect. As the suspect began to flee, [the officer] attempted to take the suspect into custody, but the suspect fled from the officer. The officer was forced to draw his service weapon and fire at the suspect, striking him," Vance said.

Forced to draw his weapon at a fleeing suspect? In CT, as a licensed gun owner, you are required by law, to retreat if possible.

I guess cops get to shoot guys if they feel the "need".

[NonValueAdded]

Got him right in the Cromwell, eh? Is that anywhere near the Slauson Cutoff?

[puppypusher]

“Forced to draw his weapon at a fleeing suspect? In CT, as a licensed gun owner, you are required by law, to retreat if possible.

I guess cops get to shoot guys if they feel the “need”.”

I can’t wait to see the dash cam video of this altercation.From what I recall the only time a Police Officer is allowed to discharge his weapon at a fleeing felon is to Prevent him from committing additional acts of violence against others with a weapon.

In this case was there a weapon displayed?I didn’t see that in the story.If that’s the case this cop is in the wrong.

That was a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court years back.

If the Video is Cleansed you know the cop is toast.

[Puppage]

In CT, as a licensed gun owner, you are required by law, to retreat if possible.

Absolutely correct. If you go after the threat, the law now sees YOU as the threat. Great state, huh?

[USNBandit]

Garner v. Tennessee. The initial case involved a late teenager who committed a hot burglary of a house. The police arrived and he took off over the back fence of the residence. An officer shot him once in the head killing him even though he appeared unarmed and was carrying a purse he stole from the house. The officer shot based on the law at that time which allowed shooing at fleeing felony suspect.

The result of the SCOTUS decision was that shooting at a fleeing felon now requires a belief that the suspect poses a probable threat of serious injury to the public. For example, lets say you were a cop and you are chasing the Joker. You know the Joker robs banks, he shoots people in most of the banks he robs and you are chasing a guy dressed in a clown face running from a bank with a bag of money. Despite the fact he isn't waving a gun around, one could predict that he will continue robbing banks and shooting people. That would be a good shoot.

Not sure of the particulars in this case. Shooting a guy because he is a faster runner than you is a poor use of force. Shooting a guy that is faster than you, but seems intent of harming others in the future probably meets the Garner test.

[BBell]

Never run from a fat cop.

[ViLaLuz]

If the guy is smashing his car into buildings and vehicles his car is the weapon. If the officer reasonably believed the man was going to kill or maim someone he is authorized deadly force to stop him.

[puppypusher]

If the guy is smashing his car into buildings and vehicles his car is the weapon. If the officer reasonably believed the man was going to kill or maim someone he is authorized deadly force to stop him.

The way I read the story the guy was attempting to flee the area and during his attempt to evade the police he collided with the building.

He then disembarked from the vehicle.At that point unless he was brandishing a weapon at the police he was NOT a threat so he had NO reason to shoot the perp who was fleeing on foot.

This officer had better get himself a good lawyer because he’s going to need it.

[ViLaLuz]

Yes... It will be decided in court.

[puppypusher]

Yea! The perp will get his day in court for the crimes he committed and the Officer,Well he will also get his day in court.Hopefully for his sake the civil bar.

Otherwise he’s in trouble.I just hope that a criminal court jury will find him Not Guilty.Being in front of a jury is no fun.I can say that from experience.