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Hamden Police Officer Devin Eaton, 29, was charged with first-degree assault and two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, State Police said.
It is alleged that Eaton and Yale University officer Terrance Pollock opened fire on a vehicle being driven by Paul Witherspoon on April 26, police said. During the incident, Witherspoon’s passenger, Stephanie Washington, was struck by one of the bullets and suffered minor injuries.
According to police, the shooting happened on Argyle Street near the Dixwell Avenue intersection in New Haven. It is alleged that Eaton believed Witherspoon’s vehicle to be that of one involved in an earlier armed robbery in Hamden.
In total, Eaton fired more than a dozen shots at the vehicle.
Police noted that no weapon was ever recovered following the shooting. The investigation also determined that Pollock was justified in firing his weapon, the state’s attorney said. He reportedly heard the gunshots and believed that there were shots being exchanged.
Both Eaton and Pollock were placed on administrative leave following the incident.
Eaton was released on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 28.
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