Research Report
An Analysis of Two Recent Hartford, Connecticut Officer-Involved Shootings
Full report available for download (PDF, ~400 KB)
Download Full Report (PDF)In the span of nine days in February 2026, the Hartford Police Department was involved in two fatal officer-involved shootings of Black men experiencing acute mental health crises. On February 19, 2026, Everard Walker, age 53, was fatally shot inside his apartment after his family called Connecticut's 211 helpline seeking a mental health evaluation. On February 27, 2026, Steven Jones, age 55, was shot nine times on Blue Hills Avenue during what the Connecticut Inspector General described as an "acute mental health crisis." Both men were armed with knives at the time of the shootings.
This report provides a non-judgmental, scientifically grounded analysis of these incidents within the context of the broader empirical literature on police encounters with persons experiencing mental health crises, use-of-force decision-making, de-escalation training effectiveness, and alternative response models. The report does not render legal conclusions regarding the justification of force in either incident; those determinations rest with the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General and other appropriate authorities.
Rather, this report examines the incidents through the lens of current research and best practices in policing to identify areas where systemic improvements may reduce the likelihood of fatal outcomes in similar future encounters.
Persons with untreated serious mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter than individuals without mental illness.
Approximately one in three police homicides in the line of duty involve victims experiencing a mental health crisis.
ICAT training is associated with a 28% reduction in use-of-force incidents, a 26% reduction in citizen injuries, and a 36% reduction in officer injuries.
Officers exposed to peer gunfire are 11.57 times more likely to fire their own weapons, discharging approximately 72% more rounds.
Each additional officer who discharges a firearm during an encounter is associated with a 3.14 percentage-point increase in the probability that the civilian will die.
Detailed accounts of both shootings, including the circumstances surrounding the 211 call for Everard Walker and the body-worn camera footage from the Steven Jones encounter. Includes a comparative table of incident features.
An overview of the prevalence of mental health-related police encounters nationally, the disproportionate risk of fatal outcomes, and the distinguishing characteristics of these encounters drawn from multiple data sources.
Examines the legal framework under Graham v. Connor, cognitive and physiological factors in shooting decisions, and the contagious fire phenomenon, including the DeCarlo, Dlugolenski, and Myers (2024) randomized controlled experiment.
Reviews the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model, PERF's Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) program, and the IACP model policy for responding to persons in mental health crisis.
Compares police-based specialized response, co-responder models (including Hartford's HEARTeam), and community-based alternatives such as CAHOOTS and Denver's STAR program.
A detailed examination of the body-worn camera footage through the lens of current research and best practices, including the de-escalation efforts, Taser deployment, the actions of the arriving officer, and potential off-ramps.
The emergency legislation introduced in response to these incidents, including curriculum requirements for crisis intervention and de-escalation training.
Key findings and policy considerations, including recommendations for mandatory CIT training, equipment policies, incident command protocols, and expanded alternative response programs.
The complete report includes detailed incident analysis, 31 cited references, and policy considerations for law enforcement agencies.