Waterbury Detective Cleared in Gunfire Incident During Carjack Investigation

BREAKING: The Connecticut Office of Inspector General has cleared Detective Raymond Sackett of the Waterbury Police Department in a shooting incident where he returned fire at a suspect during a carjacking investigation. This urgent update comes following the release of a detailed report confirming the detective acted in self-defense when shot at by Arian Perez-Feliciano on February 13, 2023, just after 10 p.m.

The report, published on Wednesday, concluded that Sackett’s decision to fire multiple rounds was justified under Connecticut law. The investigation revealed that Sackett was shot in the leg by Perez-Feliciano while pursuing suspects related to a series of armed carjackings in Waterbury. Authorities report that the suspect fired at Sackett with a gun featuring a laser sight before the detective returned fire.

According to Inspector General Eliot Prescott, “Given the exigency of the situation, there was no opportunity for deescalation.” Prescott emphasized that Sackett’s actions were an appropriate use of self-defense, stating, “His use of deadly force was objectively reasonable and therefore legally justified.” The report indicates that Sackett was shot after he rounded a corner at 16 Clairmont Ave and encountered Perez-Feliciano.

The investigation stems from a series of attempted carjackings that began days earlier. On February 10, a woman reported her vehicle stolen after she started it remotely. Three days later, the stolen vehicle was implicated in two separate armed carjacking attempts, including an incident where a man in a 2012 Porsche Panamera narrowly escaped an armed assailant.

As police searched for the stolen Ford Explorer, they received reports of sightings in Waterbury and surrounding areas. The vehicle was ultimately located on America Street, leading to a pursuit that ended in gunfire. During the chaotic scene, Sackett was treated at a local hospital for his injuries and later released.

In the aftermath, Perez-Feliciano was apprehended and faces serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and attempted robbery. He is currently held on a $800,000 bond. Additionally, two other suspects, Alberto Rodriguez, 19, and Sydney Reid, 19, were arrested in connection with the incidents. Their bonds total more than $750,000 and $800,000, respectively, while their cases remain pending.

The Waterbury Police Department has yet to publicly comment on the report, as they await its receipt. A spokesperson stated, “We therefore do not have any comments at this time.”

This incident raises significant concerns about public safety and the challenges law enforcement faces in high-stakes situations. As the community processes this report, the implications for police conduct and community relations will be watched closely.

Stay tuned for more developments on this story as it unfolds.