State Senator
Matt Lesser
Deputy Majority Leader
Your Independent Voice
- Representing
- Cromwell,
- Middletown,
- Newington,
- Rocky Hill,
- Wethersfield
HARTFORD, CT — In the wake of the death of Wethersfield resident Anthony Vega Cruz, who was shot by Wethersfield police on April 20 following a traffic stop, state Senators Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) and John Fonfara (D-Hartford) are calling on Hartford State’s Attorney Gail Hardy to release police dash cam footage of the officer-involved shooting.
Sens. Lesser and Fonfara jointly represent the residents of Wethersfield; State’s Attorney Hardy is leading the state investigation into the shooting.
“We need to know more about what happened,” Sen. Lesser said. “Releasing the dash cam footage promptly and without delay will help answer questions and address concerns from the community.”
Sen. Lesser noted that police dash cam footage of an April 16 traffic stop and police shooting in New Haven has already been released. Several members of Anthony Vega Cruz’s family have said they want Wethersfield Police video footage of the April 20 shooting released, and State’s Attorney Hardy has said she intends to do that.
“In consideration of the family of Anthony Vega Cruz, and the broad community interest in this incident, I ask that State’s Attorney Hardy release the dash-cam video as expeditiously as possible, in a manner that ensures a full and fair investigation,” said state Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford).
About Matt Lesser: Sen. Lesser was first elected in 2018 to represent the ninth Senate District which consists of Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield. Prior to being elected to the State Senate, he was a State Representative for the city of Middletown. He has been a principle author of Connecticut’s Student Loan Bill of Rights, the first in the nation, a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing waste and a major workplace safety law later adapted as a national standard. He has been honored by the Connecticut chapter of the AARP and has been named a champion by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters.