A Hamden police officer who fired shots at an unarmed couple in New Haven in April was arrested Monday and charged with assault and reckless endangerment.
Connecticut State Police arrested Devin Eaton, based on a state’s attorney investigation of the shooting.
The investigation found that Eaton fired 13 times at a couple during a traffic stop, seriously wounding passenger Stephanie Washington.
The report says Eaton crossed into the City of New Haven to follow Washington and her boyfriend, Paul Witherspoon.
Eaton turned himself in and was released on a $100,000 bond.
Hamden Mayor Curt Leng told reporters he respects the state’s decision to arrest Eaton and that Hamden police will conduct its own investigation.
“The police chief, Chief Cappiello, will make recommendations to the Police Commission, who is empowered to render any discipline up to and including termination after the completion of a formal hearing process. I’m confident that they will discharge their duties in good faith. We are all deeply concerned by what we have seen. And we should be.”
Cappiello says Eaton is on paid administrative leave and that he’ll recommend action against the officer to the Police Commission within 30 days. Eaton is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Forensic tests found Yale Police Officer Terrance Pollack also fired three shots in the incident, but he was also hit by friendly fire. Yale says it expects to wrap up its own internal investigation soon. Pollack is still on leave.
