Two Dead in Separate Incidents Involving Meriden Police

Connecticut State Police are investigating two separate incidents involving officers from the early Saturday where tasers and a police-issued handgun were used, killing the suspects. 

The first incident occurred at approximately 1:46 a.m. Saturday morning, according to Connecticut State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance, when Meriden police received an emergency call from a residence at 10 Grove Court where a female caller said a male suspect was attempting to break into her house. 

Meriden police arrived to find Angel Hiraldo, 48, of the same address, on the porch armed with a hammer. Vance said the officers gave "numerous commands" for Hiraldo to drop the hammer, but he continually refused. When Hiraldo began to advance on the officers with the hammer, Vance said, an officer drew his department-issued taser and fired it at Hiraldo. 

After being tasered, Vance said Hiraldo began to experience difficulty breathing. Emergency care was provided at the scene and Hiraldo was rushed to MidState Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:34 a.m. 

In a separate incident that occurred a short time later that evening, at approximately 2:38 a.m., Meriden police responded to a call for assistance for a disturbance at a residence at 10 Maple Branch Rd., where they encountered an unidentified male armed with a pair of scissors and creating a "violent disturbance," according to Vance. 

Vance said the suspect moved to the third floor of the house when police arrived, where he issued verbal threats and then charged at the officers with the scissors in his hands. Vance said the officers retreated, while one used his taser on the suspect, but that it was unable to stop the charging man. An officer then drew his department-issued hand gun and shot the suspect. 

The unidentified suspect was provided emergency care at the scene and transported to MidState Medical Center Emergency Department, where he was pronounced dead, according to Vance. 

Both scenes were secured by Meriden police and, at the request of the State's Attorney Office and the Meriden Chief of Police, the State Police Western District Major Crime Squad was called in to both scenes to conduct an investigation into the incidents, according to Vance. 

Vance said the officers who discharged their weapons will be assigned to administrative duties until the investigations are complete, as is department policy.