Wethersfield Police Officer Who Shot Teen Receives $100K Payout

WETHERSFIELD, CT — A former Wethersfield police officer who shot and killed an 18-year-old driver during a traffic stop has received a $100,000 payment from the town's municipal insurer following his resignation from the department, according to The Hartford Courant.

Anthony Vega Cruz, 18, died in April 2019 after being shot in the temple by Eulizier during a traffic stop. Police body camera showed Eulizier firing through the front windshield of Vega Cruz's car as the teen drove at the officer while trying to flee the traffic stop.

See related: Wethersfield Police Officer Resigns Following Teen Shooting Death

Eulizier resigned from the department April 15, 2020.

He was cleared by prosecutors of any wrongdoing in March 2020.

Then Hartford States Attorney Gail P. Hardy wrote in a report on the incident that Eulizier fired his gun as he was "in fear that the operator was about to run him over and that he would lose his own life," according to The Hartford Courant.

In an agreement with the town, Eulizier received $100,000 and agreed to resign on or before April 15. Eulizier also released the town from any liability that may arise out of the incident.

The defense attorney for Cruz's family had characterized Eulizier as a "ticking time bomb" and protesters successfully lobbied for video of the incident to be released.