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Body cam footage released in Stratford officer-involved shooting

Police identified Christopher Hagans, 36, of Stratford as the man who died in the shooting.

STRATFORD, Conn. — Connecticut State Police have released the identity of the man killed in the shooting incident that occurred in Stratford Friday night. Police also released bodycam footage of the incident.

Police identified Christopher Hagans, 36, of Stratford as the man who died in the shooting. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner certified the cause of death as gunshot wounds to the head, torso, left upper and lower extremities. 

Around 7:35 p.m., officials responded to a scene on Main Street, where the officer-involved shooting took place.

According to a release, the incident occurred during an attempt to serve a felony warrant for domestic charges.

Watch the video here (Warning disturbing images and audio)

On February 11, Police release dash-camera footage of the incident. The video shows officers driving and pulling over near the suspect. Officers are seen out of their cruisers and shots are fired only moments later. 

Watch the video by clicking here. (Warning: Video contains disturbing images and audio.)

According to the Chief State's Attorney's office, "The preliminary briefing on scene detailed that officers with the Stratford Police Department were responding to a request by the Naugatuck Police Department for assistance serving an arrest warrant for Christopher Hagans for charges that included Home Invasion and Strangulation. Information was provided that Hagans was believed to be armed and dangerous and possibly in possession of a firearm. As police officers were conducting a surveillance check of Hagans’ residence, they saw him leave in a vehicle consistent with a vehicle he was known to operate. Police, in an unmarked vehicle, followed behind Hagans until his vehicle stopped for a traffic light at Main Street Putney. Officers reported attempting a motor vehicle stop at the traffic light to avoid a potential pursuit by having a marked police vehicle move in front of Hagans’ vehicle while the unmarked vehicle stayed behind. Both police vehicles activated red and blue flashing lights while police officers gave verbal commands for Hagans to show his hands. Hagans was reported to be non-compliant with police commands. While giving the directions, an officer verbally reported what appeared to be a firearm and alerted the other officers. At this time, the vehicle being operated by Hagans moves forward and collides with the marked police vehicle and officers discharged multiple rounds. Hagans’ vehicle then became stuck in the snow between road signs that were damaged when Hagans’ vehicle collided with them. At this time, it is reported that Hagans exits the vehicle and draws fire from officers on the scene. A firearm was located on the ground next to Hagans and was secured by Officer John Cannata at the scene. Investigators are working to match ballistics evidence recovered from the scene to the firearms reportedly discharged during the incident."

"Six officers were present during the incident including, Lieutenant Robert Rosenbaum, Detective Glynn McGlynn, Officer Stephen Santoro, Officer Lawrence Overby, Officer John Facto, and Officer John Cannata. According to preliminary reports, Officers Cannata and Facto did not discharge their weapons."

Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese Walcott requested state Police and Eastern District Major Crime Squad detectives to assume the investigation of an officer-involved shooting.

Authorities confirmed that a firearm was discovered on-scene. The officers involved in this incident were wearing body-worn cameras (BWC).

 Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Connecticut State Police – Eastern District Major Crimes Squad at 860-896-3230.

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