WEST HAVEN, (September 23, 2024) — The Connecticut Office of the Inspector General released information and police body camera footage of a fatal police shooting that happened in West Haven on Sept. 19, 2024.
Jebrell Conley, 36, of New Haven, was killed after Connecticut State Police Sgt. Colin Richter, New Haven Police Sergeant Francisco Sanchez and New Haven Police Officer Michael Valente shot him outside the Splash Car Wash on Boston Post Road, the report said.
New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson said in an update Monday that Sanchez, a 12-year NHPD veteran and Valente, an 11-year NHPD veteran, are on paid administrative leave until police hear back from the Inspector General office.
At 5 p.m. on Sept. 19, the New Haven Police Department Violent Crime Task Force learned that Conley, who had an outstanding arrest warrant on federal robbery and related gun charges, was driving in the area of Ella Grasso Boulevard in a black Hyundai Tucson.
Jacobson said in a report that Conley was a known member of the violent New Haven street gang Grape Street Crips and was on federal probation with an extensive criminal history.
The Task Force knew Conley from previous contact with him, according to the report.
Officers tracked Conley using his license plate to the Splash Car Wash, where they found him standing outside of the Hyundai, the report said.
As officers closed in on Conley with their vehicles, he entered the Hyundai, the report said. Body camera video shows the officers exiting their cars and surrounding the Hyundai, telling Conley to "not move" and to "get out of the vehicle."
Jacobson noted that 11 officers were on scene, including seven from NHPD.
Conley put the Hyundai in reverse and hit a police car behind him, Jacobson said. He then allegedly pointed a gun at officers and appeared to fire a gunshot that shattered the car's front side window.
Videos released by the Office of the Inspector General show Richter, Sanchez and Valente firing at Conley, hitting him multiple times, according to the report.