Man Dies After Police Taser Deployment, Sedation By EMS During Medical Disturbance

A man, 26, died after a Hartford police officer used a Taser on him and EMS personnel sedated him when he grew combative during a medical disturbance at his home on Kelsey Street Friday night, state police said.

Matthew Russo, 26, resisted when Hartford's Mobile Crisis team, Hartford police and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to his home at 38 Kelsey Street at 8:30 p.m. on Friday. A Hartford police officer deployed a Taser on him when he continued to be combative, state police said. The Taser was assigned to the officer, according to state police.

Then, medical personnel gave him a sedative, state police said.

When Russo began having trouble breathing, EMS officials administered medical aid. He was transported to Hartford Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

State police from the Western District Major Crime squad responded to the scene at 12:30 a.m. and have taken over the investigation.

Neighbors noticed the police presence Friday night.

“My dog you know activity, he’s like a guard dog," Sylvia Price, of Hartford, said. "I heard barking and that made me come and look out and that’s when I saw the car, the flashing lights of the cop car.”

Neighbors who talked to NBC Connecticut said they didn't see the Taser incident or what led to it. They said big police investigations are rare in the area, “but when there is things going on we do you know it’s noticeable you know because it’s so quiet sometimes.”

On Saturday afternoon, there was no sign of police on the street.

Officials from the office of the chief medical examiner in Farmington responded, as well, and will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The family living at 38 Kelsey Street declined to comment.

The incident remains under investigation.

Contact Us