Family of teen killed by state trooper seeks $10 million
BRIDGEPORT — The family of a New Haven teenager, shot to death last month by a state trooper following a chase from Norwalk, will file a claim Thursday that will seek $10 million in damages, the lawyer for the family said.
“The filing of this notice for claims is the first step required to file a civil lawsuit for the wrongful death of Mubarak Soulemane,” attorney Sanford Rubenstein said in a release.
Soulemane, 19, was killed Jan. 13 in West Haven after he allegedly stole a car from an individual in Norwalk and fled from police at high at speeds that reached 90 mph along Interstate 95.
According to state police, Trooper Brian North fired his weapon after he saw Soulemane with a knife after stopping the car off Exit 43 in West Haven. “When the driver displayed a weapon (later determined to be a knife), a trooper on scene discharged his assigned duty pistol, striking the driver,” state police said.
Middlesex State’s Attorney Michael Gailor is heading an investigation into the shooting.
The claim will cite the state, the Connecticut State Police, the city of West Haven and the West Haven Police Department, according to the release by Rubenstein.
Attorney Michael Rosnick, who with Rubenstein, will file the claim on behalf of the Soulemane family, said they would be announcing more details of the claim at a press conference Thursday.
“What is most important to the family of Mubarak Soulemane is to get justice for his wrongful death,” Rosnick said. “The family of Mubarak Soulemane is calling on the office of the Connecticut State’s Attorney to convene a grand jury in the matter with regard to the criminal culpability of Connecticut State Trooper Brian North.”