Zoe Dowdell

The Washington Post's Fatal Force database records Zoe Dowdell in a fatal on-duty police shooting on 2017-12-14 in New Britain, CT. Individual circumstances and legal outcome require case-specific review.

What happened

Zoe Dowdell, 20, was killed by New Britain, Connecticut police on December 14, 2017, when officers surrounded the Toyota he was driving while investigating armed carjackings. Five officers fired 28 shots in roughly 10 seconds as the car collided with police vehicles and tried to leave the blocked street. Dowdell was struck in his head, neck, hand and legs and died; passenger Caleb Tisdol, 15, was wounded. State investigators found no evidence anyone fired from inside the Toyota, and dash-camera footage showed Tisdol raising his hands. A state prosecutor deemed the officers' force legally justified, although his report acknowledged that some officer recollections conflicted with video and no officer had actually been struck by the car. Dowdell's estate sued the officers and city, arguing the gunfire was excessive. In December 2023, a federal court denied the defendants' motion for summary judgment, permitting contested claims to proceed. That procedural decision did not itself establish liability.

Investigation & findings

Individual legal and investigative outcome not yet reviewed.

What happened

Investigation & findings

Sources & records