WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Knife Wielding Suspect Killed by Police (Hartford-WTNH) _ Police shot and killed a man Monday after getting into a gun battle with the suspect while serving an arrest warrant. The incident happened on South Street in Hartford's south end. Police from Hartford and East Hartford showed up the home where Damien Cersosimo had been staying to serve him with a warrant for burglary and larceny. That's when it all exploded. News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports. Police came to the house at 111 South Street about 9:30 this morning to serve the warrant. Police say 26 year old Damien Cersosimo came at them with a butcher knife, and that's when they pulled the trigger. Two officers opened fire - one from Hartford, the other from East Hartford. Lt James Blanchette, Hartford police: "Trying to take the individual into custody. He Lurched at the officers, and the officers were forced to utilize their firearms." Police claim Cersosimo, a convicted felon, was known to be dangerous and unstable. A witness recalls hearing up to a dozen shots being fired at the man. John Hulo, Witness: "I didn't count 'em, but I would say between 8-12 shots." Some neighbors wonder if the officer's actions were excessive. Paula Quinn, Hartford: "To me they could have either shot him in the leg or shot up in the air. But to kill him? I don't know." Hartford police say Cersosimo was regarded as a dangerous man. They say the last time there were here he allegedly made statements to the effect of 'I'm not going to be taken without a struggle'. Lt Blanchette: "This same individual, when he was being taken into custody last time, had put a knife to his neck and threatened to kill himself. And the officers were successfully able to defuse that situation without having to utilize lethal force." Police say Cersosimo has an extensive criminal history, including numerous drug-related charges and an escape from State police Troop H in Hartford. The two police officers have not been identified. They have been put on administrative duty, which is standard procedure after a shooting like this. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Knife Wielding Suspect Killed by Police
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Police shot and killed a man Monday after getting into a gun battle with the suspect while serving an arrest warrant. The incident happened on South Street in Hartford's south end. Police from Hartford and East Hartford showed up the home where Damien Cersosimo had been staying to serve him with a warrant for burglary and larceny. That's when it all exploded.
News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports.

Police came to the house at 111 South Street about 9:30 this morning to serve the warrant. Police say 26 year old Damien Cersosimo came at them with a butcher knife, and that's when they pulled the trigger. Two officers opened fire - one from Hartford, the other from East Hartford.

Lt James Blanchette, Hartford police: "Trying to take the individual into custody. He Lurched at the officers, and the officers were forced to utilize their firearms."

Police claim Cersosimo, a convicted felon, was known to be dangerous and unstable. A witness recalls hearing up to a dozen shots being fired at the man.

John Hulo, Witness: "I didn't count 'em, but I would say between 8-12 shots."

Some neighbors wonder if the officer's actions were excessive.

Paula Quinn, Hartford: "To me they could have either shot him in the leg or shot up in the air. But to kill him? I don't know."

Hartford police say Cersosimo was regarded as a dangerous man. They say the last time there were here he allegedly made statements to the effect of 'I'm not going to be taken without a struggle'.

Lt Blanchette: "This same individual, when he was being taken into custody last time, had put a knife to his neck and threatened to kill himself. And the officers were successfully able to defuse that situation without having to utilize lethal force."

Police say Cersosimo has an extensive criminal history, including numerous drug-related charges and an escape from State police Troop H in Hartford.

The two police officers have not been identified. They have been put on administrative duty, which is standard procedure after a shooting like this.

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WTNH Home Page.