Seven people have been arrested at a demonstration in Hartford over authorities' handling of the case of a 15-year-old boy who police killed in Bridgeport in May.
Family and supporters of the family of Jayson Negron are calling for prosecutors to release video evidence in the case.
“We’re asking if that video shows that my brother accelerated a vehicle in attempt to run over an officer we want to see that video,”Jason’s sister, Jazmarie Melendez, said.
Community advocates from across the state have gathered for a rally Monday near the State Capitol and the protesters, five men and two women, were arrested for disorderly conduct after locking arms and sitting in the street, according to police.
Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez has said rookie officer James Boulay opened fire May 9 when he was nearly run over by a stolen car driven by Negron.
A passenger in the car also was shot, but survived.
Av Harris, the public information officer for Bridgeport Police Department, said Negron’s death was “an absolute tragedy.”
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“For any police officer anywhere in the U.S., the use of lethal force is authorized when the officer feels that their life is in danger or someone else’s life is in danger,” Harris said. “Right now this is all being investigated by the state’s attorney’s officer and they are going to determine whether or not the use of lethal force in this case was justified and whether criminal charged are warranted.”
Community advocates said Saturday in a news release they want State's Attorney Maureen Platt to file charges against Boulay. They said Platt has not released a decision on the case.
Platt’s office released a statement Monday and said the State Police investigation is still being completed.
"I have been in regular contact with them since I was assigned the case, so I know that they have conducted an extensive investigation. I anticipate that their report will be finished this week. I expect to meet with them on next Monday to discuss the case. Depending on my review of their investigation and our discussions on Monday, I may or may not request additional work be done on this matter. I then must thoroughly review all applicable documents and videos and will then, and only then, reach a conclusion. This conclusion will be in the form of a written and publically available and highly detailed report. Thus, no exact time frame is possible. I do realize that both the family of Mr. Negron and the public are anxious for answers and for the release of my report. Recognizing both the Negron family’s the public’s right to know, I intend on releasing the report as soon as possible. I will meet with the family before the report is publically released," Platt said in the statement.
Community advocates said they want to see criminal charges filed against the officer.
"If anyone were to kill someone, they would be awaiting a trail in a cell. He shouldn’t be at home not thinking about what he did to my brother," Melendez said.
