WFSB - Eyewitness News

Officers placed on leave following deadly Hartford shooting return to workHARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – Two Hartford officers placed on leave following a deadly shooting have returned to work. The officers, identified as Detective Zack Sherry and Officer Rocky Last, returned to work almost one month after the shooting. T<a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/officials-release-body-cam-footage-of-hartford-officer-involved-shooting/article_cc8fc97c-b1ed-11e9-9b43-7bf7ef6c0424.html" target="_blank">he shooting occurred on July 26</a> after Hartford Police Crimes Unit was on a routine patrol and tried to stop a car in the area of Park Terrace, during a criminal investigation. The driver of the car, later identified as <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/source-man-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-had-lengthy-criminal/article_772ef6aa-b12b-11e9-afe1-23570c9809da.html" target="_blank">41-year-old Alphonso Zaporta</a>, of Windsor, fled from officers, heading toward the I-84 on-ramp from Capitol Avenue. Police said the car came to a stop due to ongoing construction traffic, as well as a stop stick deployment. That’s when officers approach the car. Police said Zaporta got out of the car, violently attacked them, and gained control of an officer’s gun. That’s when Zaporta was shot and killed. Hartford police identified Det. Sherry as the officer that fired the shots. Det. Sherry has been on the force for 14 years and has no sustained citizen complaints as well as no disciplinary history, according to officials. Det. Sherry is currently working in-house with the Vice, Intell &amp; Narcotic unit. Ofc. Last is on fully duty, back on his regular assignment with the Street Crimes Unit. The investigation is in the hands of Connecticut State Police and the Tolland State’s Attorney’s office.
Man injured during shooting on Capitol Ave. in Hartford; suspect in custodyHARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – Hartford Police arrested a suspect in connection to a shooting late Thursday night. Capitol Avenue in Hartford was closed while police investigate a shooting Thursday night. Officers were able to establish a perimeter quickly and the suspect was located with a firearm and a bright-colored winter ski mask. Police said a male victim was conscious and alert when officers arrive on scene. Shot spotter activation alerted to the shots fired, according to police. Police expect to release more details Friday morning.
Victims of crash involving mail truck on CT/MA border identifiedENFIELD, CT (WFSB) -- Two people were killed in a crash that happened on the Connecticut and Massachusetts border on Thursday. A truck that Enfield officers were trying to stop was involved in the crash just over the Massachusetts border on Thursday morning. The crash, which also involved a mail truck, happened just over the state line into Longmeadow on Route 5 around 11:30 a.m. A spokesperson for the United States Postal Service identified the mail carrier who died as Dan Nacin. Nacin is described as a 40-year employee of the Postal Service, working out of the Enfield, CT Post Office. The Hampden District Attorney's Office identified the driver of the truck as David Cersosimo, 47, of Rocky Hill. The Enfield police chief said officers were trying to stop Cersosimo prior to the crash, near Route 5 and Bridge Street. Officers had observed the driver failing to obey road signs, and appeared to be intoxicated. Then, officers tried again farther down the road at Elm Street. While Enfield police wouldn't comment if the chase crossed state lines, it appears the driver traveled 4 miles from the first traffic stop to the crash site. At the crash scene, on Longmeadow Street and South Avenue, mail and packages were seen scattered everywhere following the collision, along with pieces of the mail truck. Eyewitnesses described the moments leading to the serious wreck. "It went through the red light at a high rate of speed, maybe 50 to 60 miles an hour and it crashed into the mail truck," said Justin Anstett. "It dragged the mail truck from the red light where it is now, maybe 20 yards or so." Neighbors nearby said it sounded like an explosion. Stay with Ch. 3 as more information becomes available.
State police return to home of missing Meriden momWATERBURY, CT (WFSB) -- The search for a missing mother of two expanded from Meriden to Waterbury on Wednesday, where police said human remains were found. Both local and state police have been investigating, working to figure out what happened to 31-year-old Perrie Mason, <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/meriden-police-seek-missing-woman/article_b6ee9ba0-c298-11e9-bbf5-7f53e7b880ef.html?fbclid=IwAR3YNG-u3P28HKfRwX9OohuDzxT6b81puChQRQ0vT8jT5POr_tEurfaJ9i8" target="_blank">who was reported missing on Monday</a>. A <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/search-for-missing-meriden-woman-moves-to-waterbury-human-remains/article_09668fa0-c3f2-11e9-a8af-83b48e065e6d.html" target="_blank">massive police presence was seen on Brookside Road</a> Wednesday afternoon, with investigators going in and out of Baystate Textiles and scouring the surrounding woods. Two sources confirm that the search there is connected to the disappearance of Mason. While police said on Wednesday that human remains were found in Waterbury, they added that it could take weeks before they are identified. On Thursday, state police were back at the home of Mason on West Main Street. Investigators were seen focusing on the backyard and paying close attention to a car, where they were riffling through papers. On Saturday, Mason made two 911 calls. But since then, her phone has been turned off and she hasn’t been seen since. On Tuesday, police arrested Mason’s fiancé, 38-year-old Jason Watson on domestic violence charges following an incident between the two that happened the week before. He was arrested at a home where he lives with Mason and her two children. While police have said they are not tying the domestic violence incident to Mason’s disappearance, prosecutors and the judge are referring to him as a “prime suspect.” An attorney also said in court on Wednesday that Watson works at Baystate Textiles as a full time driver. Watson was charged with second-degree strangulation, first-degree unlawful restraint, third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He has not been released from custody. A GoFundMe page has been set up for Mason's family and children, which can be found <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/perries-ohana?fbclid=IwAR29hsjk3KWOfosgaLqTDAp9EW-jvPR2nJQGmIoCvUhHZUm0-eK_Z3GYn2U" target="_blank">here</a>. Anyone with information on the case should contact police 203-630-6219.
Man makes threatening comments at Norwalk DMVNORWALK, CT (WFSB) – A man was arrested after allegedly making a threat towards the Norwalk Department of Motor Vehicles. On Thursday, troopers responded to the Norwalk DMV after an employee reported a customer had made threatening statements. The customer, later identified as 55-year-old Gregory Plaia, allegedly said, “today seems like a good day to shoot to kill.” He also suggested he would go back to the DMV another time. Plaia was arrested and charged with breach of peace and second-degree threatening. The Connecticut DMV Commissioner, Bongi Magubane, released a statement saying, “I am so proud of the DMV team at the Norwalk branch for immediately reporting the threatening comments made by a customer this morning. The safety of our employees and customers is a top priority for the DMV and their quick actions are to be commended.” Plaia was released after posting a $10,000 bond and will appear in court next month.
Health officials blaming vaping for rise in lung disease(WFSB) – Health officials are now seeing a sharp increase in the number of severe lung illnesses, which may be connected to a popular trend. More young people, and even adults, are vaping instead of smoking, but doctors are finding it can cause severe lung problems. The Centers for Disease Control is now aware of 153 cases of severe lung disease found in 16 states across the country. Connecticut is one of them. “I could just feel my heart pounding out of my chest, going a hundred miles an hour,” said Tryston Zohfeld, a teen. For ten days, machines kept 17-year-old Tryston Zohfeld alive while doctors tried to learn why this formerly healthy, athletic teen’s lungs were failing. “I think the day they intubated him was probably the worst day of my life. They did the x-ray and it was completely cloudy, all the way through his lungs,” said Matt Zohfeld, Tryston’s father. Multiple tests found no clear diagnosis, but then doctors concluded that Tryston’s vaping habit, which his parents didn’t know about, might be responsible. “It’s becoming a health crisis,” said Dr. Steven Prunk. Dr. Steven Prunk is the director of pulmonary medicine at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. “Symptoms people have with vaping can be coughing, phlegm, shortness of breath, chest discomfort,” Prunk said. He said symptoms are a sign of inflammation in the lungs. He also said there’s an epidemic as 20 percent of high school freshman are now vaping. The CDC says no specific vaping product has been conclusively linked to all the illnesses. In a statement, leading e-cigarette manufacturer, “JUUL”, says it’s “monitoring these reports and we have robust safety monitoring systems in place… reporting also suggests the teenagers were vaping both nicotine and THC, a Schedule 1, controlled substance that we do not sell…” Tryston’s doctor says the scarring in his lungs could have a long-term effect, but he’s expected to live what she calls a “fairly normal life.” With this latest report, the CDC is putting the nation’s health care workers on alert about the spike in lung illnesses, and to be on the lookout for their possible connection to e-cigarette use. This year, the American Cancer Society pushed Connecticut lawmakers to raise the age for all tobacco products to 21 and Governor Ned Lamont signed the bill. Many feel more research is needed.
Police searching for suspects accused of vandalizing Waterford senior class rockWATERFORD, CT (WFSB) – Police in Waterford are looking for suspects involved in vandalizing the high school’s senior class rock. On August 15, police said three suspects vandalized the rock by splattering green and orange paint on the rock. The rock, painted by the most recent graduating class, was ruined. Police said the suspect entered the property of the school through a path on Route 1 and exited the property by running through a path that leads out to Route 156 across from town hall. The three suspects were wearing backpacks and possibly hooded sweatshirts. Anyone with information about this incident is being asked to contact police at 860-499-4321.
New Haven police captain released from hospital after being shotNEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) -- More than a week after a New Haven police captain was shot, he was released from the hospital on Thursday morning. New Haven Police Captain Anthony Duff was shot when he came upon a <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/suspect-on-the-run-after-shooting-leaves-dead-police-captain/article_fa9b06b4-bd6f-11e9-b5c7-47d3369e0cc6.html" target="_blank">deadly shooting the night of Aug. 12</a>. The shooting happened in the area of Henry Street and Dixwell Avenue around 9:30 p.m. Troy Clark was shot and killed. Clark's family held a vigil last week in New Haven. He was described as a beloved son and uncle. They said he was always happy and that they'll miss his jokes the most. Capt. Duff was shot three times and was rushed to the hospital. On Thursday morning, he was released from the hospital as a line of dozens of officers saluted him. Duff walked out of Yale New Haven Hospital with his wife by his side, surrounded by four officers and a firefighter credited with help saving his live. “It was an amazing feeling. I mean words alone can’t describe how he felt. I’m sure he’s excited to go home," said New Haven Police Sgt. Shayna Kendall, who was one of the officers to rush to the scene. “Something that you can’t describe, arriving there and seeing Captain Duff in the state that I saw him and now seeing him walk on his own, to go home to his family, which is exactly what he was trying to get to by the end of that night.” “The fact that he is already on the road to recovery, makes me full of joy. It really brought tears to my eyes," said New Haven Mayor Toni Harp. A suspect still remains at large. Anyone with information is asked to call New Haven police.
PD: 14-year-old shot in the chest during East Haven robberyEAST HAVEN, CT (WFSB) -- East Haven Police are looking for a group of suspects after a 14-year-old was shot in the chest during a street robbery on Thursday afternoon. Thompson Avenue in East Haven remains blocked off following the shooting that happened around 12:15 p.m. That's when the teen was found on French Street with a gunshot wound to the chest. During a news conference Thursday afternoon, police said they believe the male teen was shot once. He's in stable condition at this time. Authorities are looking for a silver Honda in connection with the shooting. Three people were inside the Honda at the time of the incident. Police also said they believe the victim knows the people inside the car. Officers from East Haven, North Branford, North Haven, and Branford are assisting in the investigation. Stay with Ch. 3 as more information becomes available.
Man at center of insurance claim over sunken boat testifiesPROVIDENCE, RI (WFSB) -- Nathan Carman took the stand on Thursday in his legal fight over an $85,000 insurance claim for his sunken boat. The case is now in its second week. On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/news/trial-about-insurance-claim-over-sunken-boat-continued-wednesday/article_b91ef18a-c429-11e9-b469-47b14ccc6047.html" target="_blank">attorneys for Boat U.S. made their case</a>. Witnesses say Carman never mentioned alterations that he made to the boat that made it unseaworthy. The company says as a result, his policy should be canceled. Thursday, Carman defended his account of what happened, including where his boat sank and that his engine blew. Boat U.S. continues to say Carman failed to disclose changes he made that turned the boat not worthy for sea. During his testimony, Carman said he removed trim tabs to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. Attorney David Farrell noted Carman had no data when making that decision. Carman also said he filled holes left by the project with putty. Experts have said putty alone was not the correct fix. Boat U.S. has also said Carman violated his policy when he never mentioned the changes, even in his claim. Carman claimed he was confused by the policy language. Farrell said the details of Carman's account of that last trip don't add up. He questioned whether the boat sank somewhere else altogether. Carman was rescued at sea after his boat sank back in 2016. His mother Linda Carman, who was also on the boat, has not been seen since.