A man named Jared Billard was shot and killed by police in Colchester, Connecticut, after he was seen acting erratically with a pump-action shotgun. Prior to the fatal confrontation, Billard had reportedly pushed a tenant and displayed throwing knives. The tenant described Billard as being erratic throughout the afternoon, with confrontational behavior culminating in the eventual shooting. The incident began as a disturbance call to police, and responding officers attempted to communicate with Billard, who barricaded himself behind a basement door in his apartment.
Bodycam footage captured the tense interaction between Billard and the officers, with Billard refusing to allow them onto his property. After a profanity-laced exchange, Billard emerged from behind the door pointing the shotgun at a police officer, which led to a gunshot being fired. The situation quickly escalated, with one officer running up the basement stairs and another taking cover. The violent events were shocking to residents in the typically low-crime community of Colchester, who praised their local police department for their involvement in the community.
The shooting remains under investigation by multiple agencies, including the Office of Inspector General, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Connecticut State Police, and the New London Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office. The details of the incident, including the actions leading up to the shooting and the response of the police officers involved, will be examined to determine if the use of deadly force was justified. The community awaits further information on the circumstances surrounding Jared Billard’s death and the factors that led to the fatal confrontation with law enforcement.
