Rocky Hill, Conn./WTIC Radio - The state Office of Inspector General has issued a final report on an officer involved shooting in the town of Orange last year in which the officers involved did not have their body cameras on.
Inspector General Robert Devlin's report suggests the use of force by police officer Eric Ristaino was not justified the day he opened fire on a shoplifting suspect vehicle attempting to elude capture.
He and Officer Kurt Correia were called to the Burlington Coat Factory on the Boston Post Road September 15, 2023.
The two were investigating a shoplifting complaint when the suspect, Maurice Keys, tried to get away in a car operated by Timisha Hopkins.
Correia entered the vehicle attempting to collar the two, the report states.
The OIG says Ristaino fired a single round as the suspects attempted to get away, hitting the back of the suspect vehicle, but no one inside.
Devlin calls it a "dangerous situation" that could have rendered the driver incapcitated and the car heading uncontrollably onto the Boston Post Road.
While declining prosecution for what he calls a "low probability of conviction", Devlin is recommending "that the Police Officer Standards & Training Council (POSTC) review the evidence contained in this report and
consider cancelling his (Ristaino's) certification as police officer".
The suspects were charged with assault on a peace officer and larceny.