Investigation Determines Bridgeport Police Officer did not shoot Black Man in August: Offers No Explanation for Death of Raylyn George

A state investigation has determined that a police officer was not involved in a fatal shooting last summer of a man at a housing complex, an incident that sparked protests. The Bridgeport police tactical narcotics team and other city officers responded to the Marina Village housing complex on Aug. 25. Police took two people into custody, but a third fled the scene, state police said. Raylyn George, 24, was shot and died later at Bridgeport Hospital, police said. "The undersigned concludes, on the basis of statements of police as well as civilian witnesses, as well as the State Police crime scene investigation, all forensic examinations, including the autopsy conducted by the State's Chief Medical Examiner, that no peace officer fired a weapon that caused any injury to Raylyn George," Bridgeport State's Attorney Jonathan Benedict wrote in a report. Benedict, who recommended no action be taken, wrote that "the precise mechanism of Mr. George's death remains a matter of conjecture." "What is known is that it occurred as he was fleeing police and, likely, attempting to scale a four-foot high fence while holding a stolen, locked and loaded handgun in his right hand," the report states. Some witnesses said George did not have a weapon, leading to a rally at city hall. But Sgt. J. Paul Vance, a state police spokesman, said a handgun was found in his possession. An autopsy by the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner determined the death was caused by a gunshot wound to the head, state police said. [MORE]

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