18-Year-Old Dies After Being Shot By Officer, CT State Police Says

Anthony Jose Vega Cruz, of Wethersfield, died on Monday, April 22, according to the Connecticut State Police who are investigating the incident.

The shooting took place around 6 p.m. on, Saturday, April 20, when two Wethersfield officers attempted a motor vehicle stop of Vega Cruz's vehicle on Route 99 (Silas Deane Highway), state police said.

After a collision between his vehicle and a Wethersfield Police cruiser, one officer exited his vehicle and Vega Cruz drove towards that officer, who then discharged his firearm, said police.

Vega Cruz was shot in the head and had been on life support.

His girlfriend, Stephanie Santiago, 18, of Hartford, who police say was in the vehicle at the time of the shooting, was not injured.

State police are investigating the shooting.

Wethersfield police have not released the name of the officer involved in the shooting but did say the officer was on paid leave.

Protestors gathered on Monday, April 22 demanding that any dash camera footage of the incident be released. 

Wethersfield Police Chief James Cetran said the shooting was a "tragedy" when he addressed protestors, but did not say if the footage would be released.

Anyone with any information in regards to this investigation should contact the CT State Police at 860- 685-8190. You can remain anonymous.

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