Wow! Heard about this yesterday!

The Day, New London, Conn.

Man shot by police in Colchester dies

Greg Smith, The Day, New London, Conn.

Fri, April 19, 2024 at 8:36 PM EDT·2 min read

1

Apr. 19—COLCHESTER — The man shot by police responding to a dispute between a landlord and tenant Thursday night has died, the tenant said on Friday.

John Forbes, who rents an apartment at the multi-family home at 759 Norwich Ave., identified the shooting victim as his landlord, Jared Billard, who lives in a basement apartment.

Forbes, on Friday morning, was in the driveway of the home in tears after he said he had recently learned that Billard had died.

The Office of the Inspector General on Friday confirmed the death as a result of the shooting but did not identify Billard as the victim.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, however, confirmed that Billard's cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the trunk, with an injury to his lung. The death was ruled a homicide.

The shooting occurred at 6:17 p.m. on Thursday. Forbes said he had been involved in an argument with Billard.

Billard was intoxicated, Forbes said, and when the argument turned physical  with Billard at one point grabbing Forbes around the neck  he separated himself from the situation and went into his apartment.

Police were called and when they arrived, Forbes said he heard an officer call, "Drop your gun!" followed by the "pop" of a gunshot. Forbes said Billard has a shotgun but he did not witness the shooting.

State police, in a statement, said "a Colchester Police Officer at the scene discharged their duty weapon at the individual, causing injury."

The shooting victim, police said in a statement, was taken to an area hospital for treatment. One police officer was also taken to the hospital for an evaluation. Norwich Avenue (Route 616) was closed Thursday in the area of the shooting, between Harbor and Sullivan roads, because of the police activity but has since reopened.

Police released no other details about the incident and deferred all questions to the Officer of Inspector General, which investigates all police-involved shootings in the state.

What a waste.

I'm not defending the LL - we don't know what he did.

This is my fear for LLs who carry weapons. Police SEE a gun, someone yells GUN! and the police react by shooting in self defense.

Another - ZERP TOLERANCE on lates keeps rent flowing. Large late rents breed anxiety and frustration in the LL, causing them to confront residents.

Back when I tried to "rattle the cage" for rent I never got a single penny. Useless waste of time and put me in danger

Right, wrong or indifferent when the cop shows up he is in charge.

You do what he says, even if you feel it isn't following the law.