Connecticut State Police have identified two Wethersfield Police officers involved in the fatal police shooting of an 18-year-old suspect on Saturday.
The Hartford State's Attorney's Office is leading the investigation into the shooting that killed 18-year-old Anthony Jose Vega Cruz. The teenager was suspected of trying to hit a police officer with his vehicle.
On Wednesday State Police identified the officer who fired as Officer Layau Eulizier. Eulizier was hired by the Wethersfield Police Department in August 2018. Prior to that he served in the US Air Force until 2017.
A second officer, Officer Peter Salvatore, was also present at the shooting, but did not fire his weapon, according to Connecticut State Police. He has worked for Wethersfield Police since September 2013.
State Police said neither officer has any disciplinary history.
Connecticut State Police are still piecing together what led to a Wethersfield Police officer opening fire in the area of Silas Deane Highway and Maple Street on Saturday.
Troopers said Cruz and his passenger, 18-year-old Stephanie Santiago, were in a car that two Wethersfield police officers were trying to pull over when there was a collision between the suspect’s vehicle and one of the cruisers.
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State Police said an officer got out of his cruiser and the suspect’s car drove toward him. Detectives say that’s when the officer fired.
Investigators said Cruz died of his injuries at the hospital. Santiago was not hurt.
Wethersfield police said their officers are not equipped with body cameras.
