COLCHESTER, CT — The Office of Inspector General is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Colchester that resulted in the death of a 33-year-old man after police responded to a disturbance call.
On April 18, at about 6:17 p.m., Colchester police officers Kiruluss Wassef, John Zavalick, and Bryan Kowalsky were dispatched to a residence at 759 Norwich Avenue following a report of a possible disturbance.
They encountered a second-floor tenant who alleged that landlord Jared Michael Billard had been acting erratically and left a lit grill unattended on a common deck area.
The situation escalated around 5:20 p.m. when Billard, who lived in a basement apartment, reportedly became confrontational, pushed the tenant, and displayed throwing knives.
When police arrived, they were led to the basement and attempted to communicate with Billard through a closed door.
According to the preliminary report, while speaking with Billard, the officers heard the sound of a shotgun being racked.
Billard then emerged from the door pointing the shotgun at Officer Wassef, who responded by firing a single shot that struck Billard in the upper chest.
Officers provided medical aid until Billard was transported to Backus Hospital in Norwich, where he was declared dead.
