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Hamden Opens Local Investigation Into Police Shooting

Police say that on April 16, Hamden Police Officer Devin Eaton and Yale Officer Terrance Pollock opened fire on a car at the intersection of Dixwell Avenue and Argyle Street in New Haven while investigating reports of an attempted armed robbery in Hamden.

Hamden has opened its own local investigation into a police shooting involving one of its officers.

Police say that on April 16, Hamden Police Officer Devin Eaton and Yale Officer Terrance Pollock opened fire on a car at the intersection of Dixwell Avenue and Argyle Street in New Haven while investigating reports of an attempted armed robbery in Hamden. A passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Stephanie Washington, was injured. The driver, 21-year-old Paul Witherspoon was not hit.

The case is under investigation by the Connecticut State Police and the New Haven State’s Attorney. Both officers are currently on leave.

In the days since the shooting, protesters have been demanding the firing of both officers, transparency in the investigation, and changes in the departments.

Both Hamden Mayor Curt Leng and Yale officials have said they are asking for patience and waiting for the state investigation to finish before a decision will be made about the two officers' futures with their police departments.

In a press release sent Friday, Leng announced that the Hamden Police Department was launching its own investigation into the incident. Hamden’s investigation will focus on compliance with their department policies and expectations.

The investigation will be conducted by the department's Ethics and Integrity Unit and an outside expert.

“The Police Chief and I have been, and will continue to be, in regular contact with the State’s Attorney to ensure that we avoid any potential conflict and to receive regular updates on the criminal investigation,” Leng wrote in a statement.

Police have released surveillance and body camera footage of the incident. The State Police investigation is ongoing.

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