Zoe Dowdell, a 20-year-old aspiring rapper who went by the stage name of Gangstalicious, was shot and killed by police in New Britain, Connecticut last Thursday (December 14).
The native of Bloomfield was behind the wheel of a car suspected in a series of armed carjackings when he struck police vehicles and drove toward officers in an attempt to flee the scene, according to the Hartford Courant. Subsequently, multiple officers shot at the three individuals inside the vehicle.
Dowdell was shot in the neck and pronounced dead at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford. The two other passengers – an 18-year-old and 15-year-old – were both wounded but are expected to recover.
Wesley Spears, a Hartford-based attorney, says an undisclosed entertainment management company, who he recently represented was considering signing Dowdell to their roster.
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Spears later criticized the response of law enforcement. He says Dowdell and the two other passengers should have never attempted to flee the scene but questioned whether the officers’ lives were in danger to the point where they felt it was essential to open fire.
“They shot at three kids,” he said. “It’s totally ridiculous and unnecessary.”
A state police investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Meanwhile, the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave.
An impromptu vigil for Dowdell was held in Hartford on Sunday afternoon (December 17).
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Dowdell’s official YouTube channel has amassed over 400,000 views as of December 18. His 2015 song, “Not Supposed To Be,” has been viewed over 100,000 times.
Dowdell was previously arrested in July after being charged with two counts of third-degree burglary and sixth-degree larceny, according to the Hartford Courant. He was also charged with credit card theft and illegal use of a credit card.
