The family of Anthony Vega, the teen who was shot and killed by a Wethersfield officer last month, say past performance reviews show that officer should never have been put on the force.
At the doorsteps of the Wethersfield Police Department Wednesday, an attorney for Anthony Vega’s family had a hiring question.
"There is no reason when you look at the history of this police officer that he should’ve been on the streets," attorney Ben Crump said.
Crump referring to the recently released personnel history for Officer Layau Eulizier who formally worked as an officer for Manchester Police from 2015 to 2018.
Eulizier shot and killed 18-year-old Vega during an attempted traffic stop on April 20.
"He was a ticking time bomb," Crump said.
The 120 pages detail Eulizier’s training, reviews and a request for a probation extension because of “poor performance during stressful encounters with the public.”
NBC Connecticut further reviewed officer Eulizier’s personnel history and found he was disciplined in January of last year for a similar incident. During a motor vehicle pursuit he attempted to take a suspect into custody with his firearm pointed at the suspect. He was cited for conduct unbecoming of an employee.
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"There are far more many officers to have worse disciplinary records outside of this he has a relatively unblemished record and is a very, very, very minor discipline letter of reprimand," Elliot Spector said.
Eulizier’s attorney, Elliot Spector, told NBC Connecticut his client’s history is unrelated to the police shooting and that he was justified in the recent shooting.
"It’s when the officer position himself in front of the car and Mr. Cruz decided to drive at the officer that makes us a clear self-defense case," Spector said.
The state’s attorney investigation continues, as the family and the officer involved in their loved-one’s death wait for a verdict.
"That’s all I want I want justice and I want him you know to pay for what he did that’s all," Anthony Colon, Vega's brother said.
