Inspector general makes determination about deadly officer-involved shooting

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - The state inspector general’s office released its investigative report Tuesday on a deadly police-involved shooting that happened in Hartford last winter.

It determined that the use of deadly force against Everard Walker was “objectively reasonable” and “legally justified.”

Read the full report below:

According to Hartford police, their officers shot Walker three times inside his Capitol Avenue apartment during a mental health call on Feb. 19.

Police body camera footage showed Walker holding a knife.

How the report says it played out

According to the inspector general’s report, officers initially met the Walker’s family members outside. They all went up to the apartment together, where Walker slammed the door shut.

“After approximately 12 minutes had passed, the police knocked and the door opened,” the report said.

Social workers spoke to Walker.

“During their conversation, Everard became upset and attempted to again close the door,” the report said.

When one of the family members tried to stop him, the two got into a physical struggle, according to the report. Officers went into the apartment to separate them.

“At that point, Everard grabbed a pot of hot liquid from the stove and gestured in a way to suggest that he was going to throw the hot liquid at the officers,” the report said. “The officers then retreated into the hallway. One officer, however, blocked the apartment door with his foot to prevent it from closing.”

Other officers arrived to help, including Officer Alexander Clifford.

A family member remained in the doorway. She had earlier attempted to block one officer from entering to break up the fight.

Another family member shouted racial and homophobic slurs toward the officers, the report said. Police decided that the family member should be arrested. At that point, both family members were involved in a struggle with the officers.

During that struggle, Walker swung a knife at one of the officers, the inspector general said.

The officer, according to the report, thought he was going to be stabbed and backed away.

Officer Clifford then fired several shots at Walker.

Walker fell into the hallway where officers tried to provide medical aid. He was pronounced dead at a hospital later in the morning.

The aftermath

“Based on the investigation, I have determined that Officer Clifford’s use of deadly physical force was in response to Everard Walker’s imminent use of deadly force against others,” said Inspector General Elliot Prescott. “I have further determined that such use of force by Clifford was objectively reasonable and legally justified.”

The Hartford police union agreed and said the shooting was justified because the officer thought he was in danger.

Walker’s family said they planned to file a wrongful death lawsuit.