The Office of Inspector General has concluded that the West Hartford police officer who fatally shot a man in August 2023 was justified in the use of force. The incident occurred when 34-year-old Mike Alexander-Garcia stole a vehicle and led police on a chase before crashing. The officer, Andrew Teeter, shot Alexander-Garcia during the chaotic events that followed. A toxicology analysis revealed cocaine in Alexander-Garcia’s system.
According to the investigation report, Officer Teeter suffered injuries during the incident, while his police dog, Islay, was unharmed. Teeter explained to investigators that he feared for his safety and the safety of others due to Alexander-Garcia’s non-compliance and resistance. The Inspector General found that Teeter’s actions, including deploying the police dog and using deadly force, were appropriate responses to the threat posed by Alexander-Garcia’s reckless behavior.
The report released by the Office of the Inspector General provides details of the incident, emphasizing the dangerous circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.
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