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Jared Michael Billard

Gender : Male

Age : 33

Race : White

Date : 04/18/2024

Location : Norwich Avenue

City : Colchester

County : New London

State : Connecticut

Agency : Colchester Police Department

Officer(s) :Officer Kiruluss Wassef (shooter), John Zavalick, Bryan Kowalsky

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On April 18, 2024, Colchester Police Department officers, including Officer Kiruluss Wassef, responded to a disturbance call at 759 Norwich Avenue. The report from a tenant alleged that their landlord, Jared Michael Billard, appeared to be in a mental health crisis, acting erratically by leaving a grill unattended on the deck and later confronting the tenant with throwing knives. Officers arrived and initiated verbal communication with Billard at his basement apartment.
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During the interaction, officers reportedly heard the racking of a pump-action shotgun. Billard then emerged from his apartment holding the shotgun and pointing it at Officer Wassef, who was positioned near the basement stairs. In response, Officer Wassef fired his weapon once, striking Billard in the upper chest. Police immediately administered medical aid, but Billard was pronounced dead at Backus Hospital.
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Jared Michael Billard, an Army veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Infantry, attended Manchester and Middlesex community colleges and worked as a security officer at Loomis Chaffee School. Colleagues remembered him as a friendly and valued member of their community.
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The Office of Inspector General, the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and the New London Judicial District State's Attorney's Office are investigating the incident.
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NUMBER OF CASUALTIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality.
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Last Update: December 3, 2024.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/dcj/04242024colchester.pdf
https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/new-london-county/colchester-connecticut-fatal-police-shooting-preliminary-report/520-08ae6ad4-ca4c-4d13-a35d-ddc4d2c51c28
https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-london/office-of-inspector-general-releases-preliminary-report-after-colchester-police-officer-fatally-shoots-man/
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/new-details-body-cam-video-of-fatal-shooting-by-colchester-police-released/3273937/