NEW HAVEN -- A police officer shot a robbery suspect Tuesday morning after they say he rammed their cruisers with his vehicle.
The shooting happened near the intersection of Church Street and Columbus Avenue shortly after 6 a.m.
According to police, Kenneth Palmieri, 50, of Branford, was a suspect in a robbery of a store in Guilford. The suspect was known to police and they notified other departments in the area.
Police in New Haven said they were investigating another robbery in the Elm City, when the spotted the black SUV that Palmieri was believed to be driving. They pursued the vehicle, but broke off the chase for safety reasons.
A short time later, officers spotted the SUV in a parking garage area of the Church Street South Housing Complex at Church Street and Columbus Avenue. When officers approached, they said, the suspect drove towards them, striking two cruisers and leaving significant damage according to police. One officer fired and struck the suspect hitting him in the arm.
Palmieri was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, but is on a respirator due to drug related issues according to police.
Sources confirmed the officer involved in the shooting was Milton DeJesus who has been on the force for over five years.
No officers were injured in the incident, but one is receiving treatment for exposure to bodily fluids.
State Police Trooper Kelly Grant said in a statement, "State police detectives from Central District Major Crime assisting New Haven Police Department with an officer-involved shooting. Area of Church St and Columbus St/Ave. Appears non life-threatening injuries at this time to suspect. No reported injuries at this time to the officer."
It is standard procedure for the State’s Attorney’s Office and Connecticut State Police to investigate the shooting.
The shooting happened in a residential area that borders a commercial area.
Check back for further details as they develop.
