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*WARNING GRAPHIC MATERIAL* Viewers Discretion Is Advised Officer Involved Shooting Investigation 04/18/2024 Colchester, CT
On April 18, 2024, at approximately 6:15 p.m., at 759 Norwich Ave., Colchester, Connecticut, Colchester Police Constable Kiruluss Wassef1 fired one round from his duty pistol, striking Jared M. Billard2 in the chest, killing him. As required by statute3, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigated this incident. The results of this investigation are set forth
in this report. The investigation establishes that on April 18th, the Connecticut State Police received a telephone complaint regarding a landlord dispute at 759 Norwich Ave., Colchester. Troop K dispatched three constables4 to the location to investigate: Constable Bryan Kowalsky,
Constable John Zavalick and Constable Kiruluss Wassef. Police determined the complainant was a tenant of the property and that the landlord was Billard. The tenant said Billard was drunk and had been yelling at cars and waving around knives. The tenant reported that Billard was in the basement. The constables entered the basement though an exterior bulkhead door at the rear of the house. Constable Zavalick went first and attempted to speak to Billard through a closed door that separated a laundry room from a living space. Behind the door police heard a sound like a shotgun being racked, and they took defensive positions in the basement. Wassef positioned himself in the stairway. Billard opened the door, pointed a shotgun outward and Wassef fired a single shot. Billard immediately fell to the ground, wounded. Billard’s gunshot wound was fatal.
Based on the facts developed during the investigation, I have determined that Constable Wassef used deadly force to defend himself from what he subjectively and honestly believed to be a threat of imminent deadly force. I also conclude that his use of deadly force was objectively reasonable and legally justified under the totality of the circumstances.
On August 27th, 2025 The Inspector Generals Office of CT Eliot D. Prescott concluded, under the totality of the circumstances, that Constable Wassef’s use of deadly force was reasonable to defend himself. I therefore conclude that his use of force was justified under Connecticut law. The Office of Inspector General will take no further action on this matter.
Full report on www.onscenemediact.com
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