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The officer who fatally shot Jayson Negron has been identified as 30-year-old Patrolman James Boulay, according to Bridgeport Police Chief AJ Perez. Boulay has been with the department since February 2016 and is currently assigned to the Patrol Division, Central Command. He has been placed on administrative leave pending a state police investigation.
"As the Chief of Police and pursuant to departmental policy, I have ordered an internal administrative review of this incident. The department’s Office of Internal Affairs will conduct a thorough investigation and present their findings to my office," Perez said.
Perez said the department's Firearms Review Board will also analyze the incident and report its findings and recommendations.
"At this time, based upon preliminary review of the facts currently known, Officer Boulay’s actions appear to have been legal, proper and fully in accordance with all laws and departmental procedures," Perez said.
Negron was shot and killed Tuesday after police said he slammed a vehicle into an officer during a stolen car chase. He died as a result of gunshot wounds to the torso and upper extremities, according to the office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Related story: Autopsy shows Bridgeport teen died of gunshot wounds to the chest
Perez said that on Tuesday afternoon undercover units on Park Avenue noticed the stolen vehicle and called for backup. They got behind the car as it pulled the wrong way onto one-way Fairfield Avenue and into the Walgreens lot, striking several vehicles, State Police said.
The car then sped onto Fairfield Avenue, Perez said.
Police boxed in the car and two officers got out to try to get the vehicle’s driver and passenger out, he said.
As the officers approached the car, the driver accelerated in reverse and struck at least one Bridgeport police officer, State Police said. In the scuffle, one officer was nearly pulled under the vehicle, Perez said.
Fearing for his life, one of the officers, later identified as Boulay, according to Fox 61, fired at least one round, striking both the driver and passenger, Perez said.
The passenger was evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries, and two police officers were transported to St. Vincent’s Medical Center with minor injuries. Negron's body was pulled from the car and left uncovered on the ground for six to seven hours after the 5 p.m. Tuesday shooting, police said.
The other two officers involved in the case have not been identified.
"The safety of my officers and the members of the community are of paramount importance. While I have a zero-tolerance policy for police officer malfeasance and misconduct, I continue to stand strongly behind the good and brave men and women of the Bridgeport Police Department," Perez said. "My officers, as is the case with the overwhelming majority of police professionals nationwide, perform a vital and dangerous mission in protecting the general public each and every day. Whenever there is a serious injury or loss of life we are all as a community deeply saddened."
A vigil and protest was held Wednesday evening in response to the shooting.
Related story: Crowds rally at vigil for teen shot by Bridgeport police officer
State police are continuing to investigate the incident. Witnesses and anyone with any information are asked to text TIP711 and any information to 274637. All texts will remain confidential.
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