A report issued Friday into a 2010 shooting says a man distraught over a divorce had shot himself three times in the head before turning his weapon on Seymour police, one of whom shot him in the chest, ending the ordeal.
The combination of gunshots killed 53-year-old Agim Beqiraj, of Myrtle Beach. S.C.
Seymour Sgt. Stephen Prajer’s use of deadly force was justified, according to a report authored by Kevin D. Lawlor, State’s Attorney for the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District.
The report was made public Friday (Jan. 13).
“The officer-involved shooting was a very unfortunate situation,” Seymour police spokesman Lt. Paul Satkowski said. “Our thoughts, prayers and most sincere condolences go out to everyone involved.”
The Report
Connecticut law requires the state’s attorney to probe any death involving a police officer’s use of deadly force.
Lawlor reviewed police reports, witness statements, photos and video of the scene and examined the autopsy report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner before deciding that the shooting was justified, the report said.
The report relays a harrowing incident in which Beqiraj was determined to die.
The Incident
Beqiraj called Naugatuck police with his cell phone at about 10 a.m. May 23, 2010 to tell them he had a handgun and was planning to kill himself, according to the report.
He told cops he was driving a black Mitsubishi SUV with South Carolina plates.
Naugatuck cops alerted other police departments and contacted Verizon Wireless to see what cell towers Beqiraj was near.
At about 12:30 p.m., Beqiraj answered his cell phone and told a Naugatuck officer that he was at theDouble R Mobil Gas Station located at 1 Oxford Road on the Oxford/Seymour town line.
He also told police he was upset over his divorce and the fact his wife had a restraining order against him.
Naugatuck police gave Seymour police Beqiraj’s location.
Seymour police Officer John Cronin was first on the scene at 12:49 p.m. He called for back up.
A second Seymour police officer, Dedrick Wilcox, arrived. Both cops noticed Beqiraj was slumped over the wheel of his SUV, bleeding. Wilcox ordered Beqiraj to show his hands and get out of the vehicle.
Beqiraj put a small, North American Arms .22 caliber, five-shot revolver in his mouth and pulled the trigger.
The weapon is small, with some models just 4 inches long. Click here to see a photo of the revolver from the company’s website.
WIlcox had taken cover after seeing the weapon. He again ordered Beqiraj out of the vehicle.
Prajer arrived on the scene as this was happening. He took a position about 20 feet from Beqiraj’s passenger side front window.
Prajer spotted the revolver on Beqiraj’s lap. All three police officers ordered him to drop it.
The report states Beqiraj “then raised the weapon to his face a second time and discharged another round into his chin area and lowered the gun into his lap again.”
“The occupant remained conscious and made eye contact with the officers despite two gunshot wounds to the head.”
Beqiraj raised the weapon again. The officers again ordered him to drop it.
Beqiraj looked directly at Prajer with “a look of rage and his eyes open wide.”
He pointed the weapon at Prajer, who fired a single shot into Beqiraj’s chest.
Cops then performed “emergency life saving aid” on Beqiraj until an ambulance crew arrived.
Beqiraj was pronounced dead a short time later at Bridgeport Hospital.
Which Bullet?
The medical examiner’s office didn’t pick which bullet killed Beqiraj. He died from the self-inflicted wounds and from the officer’s bullet, the examiner determined.
Tests showed there was no alcohol or other drugs in Beqiraj’s blood.
There were still bullet lefts in the revolver when he pointed it at Prajer.
Seymour police said they appreciated the time and efforts of the law enforcement agencies that probed the incident.
“The administration of the Seymour Police Department concurs with the findings of the investigation conducted by the Connecticut State Police and the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office,” Satkowski said. “We extend our appreciation to both agencies for a thorough and complete investigation.”
