Man killed in Hartford shooting identified

HARTFORD — Connecticut State Police have identified the man who died in an officer involved shooting that took place in Hartford on Friday.

The man, Alphonso Zaporta, 41, of Windsor, was shot following a police pursuit that Hartford Police alleged turned violent.

According to state police, at 9:17 Friday, officers from the Hartford Police Department tried to pull over a vehicle near Park Terrace during a criminal investigation. The vehicle reportedly fled and officers followed the suspect vehicle to the area of the Interstate 84 Westbound on-ramp from Capitol Avenue.

Police said the vehicle came to a stop due to construction traffic and “Stop Sticks” that had been deployed in the area. Hartford officers reportedly tried to approach the stopped vehichle on foot. Police said Zaporta exited the vehicle and surrendered, but then became involved in a physical struggle with officers.

During the struggle, police allege, Zaporta gained control of one of the Hartford officers’ department-issued firearm. Police said a Hartford police detective then fired multiple rounds at the driver. The shots were fatal.

A separate firearm was also located on the driver’s floor, according to state police.

The Connecticut State Police’s Eastern District Major Crime Squad investigated the shooting and State’s Attorney Matthew C. Gedansky is overseeing a use of force investigation.

An autopsy was conducted Sunday and Zaporta was identified as the deceased. Additional testing and findings are pending with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

from News https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Man-killed-in-Hartford-shooting-identified-14191810.php