Hartford, CT (July 28, 2019): On Friday, July 26, 2019 at approximately 9:17 p.m, police officers from the Hartford Police Department attempted to pull over a vehicle near Park Terrace during a criminal investigation. The vehicle fled. The officers followed the suspect vehicle to the area of Interstate 84 Westbound, on-ramp from Capitol Avenue. The vehicle eventually came to a stop due to ongoing construction traffic congestion as well as Stop Stick deployment. Once stopped, Hartford officers approached the vehicle on foot. The only passenger in the vehicle exited and surrendered.
The driver became engaged in a physical struggle with officers. During the struggle the driver gained control of one of the Hartford police officer’s department issued firearm. Another 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 (9mm, loaded with 16 rounds, reported stolen out of Springfield MA).
Chief State’s Attorney Kevin Kane, per state statute, assigned the use of force investigation to State’s Attorney Matthew C. Gedansky from the Tolland Judicial District.
Connecticut State Police Colonel Stavros Mellekas assigned the Eastern District Major Crime Squad (EDMCS) to assume the investigation. EDMCS detectives processed the scene, began to identify witnesses, and seize items of evidentiary value.
On July 28, 2019 an autopsy was conducted at the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington. The deceased has been identified as Alphonso Zaporta D.O.B. 09/25/1977 of (LKA) Windsor CT. Additional testing and findings are pending with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Notification to the family of the deceased has been made.
The Hartford Police Officer who fired the shots has been identified as Detective Zack Sherry. Detective Sherry is assigned to the Vice/Intelligence/Narcotics Division and United States Marshals Violent Fugitive Taskforce. Detective Zack Sherry has been a police officer with the City of Hartford for 14 years and, per policy, is currently on paid administrative leave.
The Hartford Police Department does have a body worn camera program. As a result, 3 Hartford officers on scene had cameras that capture the incident. The Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police and the Tolland Office of the State’s Attorney will work to release video of the incident. The Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection anticipates that release to be as early as Monday, July 29th 2019.
The CSP EDMCS investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information please contact CSP EDMCS at 860-896-3230.