IG report: ‘Insufficient evidence’ to prosecute Bridgeport officers in Ansonia shooting
Jonathan Bell was shot multiple times after leading police on a car chase.
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The Connecticut Office of the Inspector General has released a report about a fatal police shooting by Bridgeport officers in Ansonia last February.
Investigators found “police tactics in several respects were flawed, and the justifiability of the shooting is questionable, but there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution."
They say body cam footage from Feb. 4, 2024 shows police attempting to pull over Jonathan Bell. He led them on a chase before crashing into a house in Ansonia.
The report says Bell was shot multiple times, despite him being unarmed.
Officer Matthew Hoffman said a confidential informant reported Bell was “always in possession of a firearm.”
The report says a pellet rifle was located in the back cargo area of the SUV and two pellet pistols were recovered from the spare tire well. They say all were out of Bell’s reach at the time of the incident.
The Bridgeport Police Department released this statement:
"The Bridgeport Police Department acknowledges the findings of the Inspector General’s report and is committed to thoroughly reviewing the identified issues. The Bridgeport Police Department continues to educate and provide training to our officers. We would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of Jonathan Mark Lewis Bell."
MORE: Bridgeport police: 1 person dead following officer-involved shooting in Ansonia
