According to the preliminary report, upon arrival, officers were informed by a second-floor tenant that Billard had been behaving strangely earlier in the day. Witnesses reported that Billard had lit a grill on the common deck area and left it unattended, and later, he exited the basement apartment where he resided and began grilling while confronting the second-floor tenant.
The officers proceeded to the basement, where they encountered Billard behind a closed door. Body camera footage released by the Office of Inspector General shows Officer Zavalick removing what appeared to be a knife partially wedged into the door. Billard ordered the officers to leave, but they informed him that they needed to investigate the situation.
The situation rapidly escalated within 30 seconds. Officers heard the sound of a gun being racked, and Billard began shouting aggressively, telling the officers to leave his property. He repeatedly exclaimed, “Go, go, go now” and “Do not tempt me.” Despite commands from the officers to drop the gun, Billard emerged from behind the door pointing a long gun at Officer Wassef. Wassef discharged one round, striking Billard in the chest.
Officers provided medical attention to Billard before he was transported to Backus Hospital in Norwich, where he was later pronounced dead. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Billard’s death was a homicide resulting from a gunshot wound to the trunk.
The Office of Inspector General, along with the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad and the New London Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office, is currently investigating the shooting to ascertain whether Wassef’s use of force was justified.
