On the evening of January 23, 1999, Brian Aselton, a 26-year-old Caucasian male and a two-year veteran of the East Hartford Police Department in Connecticut, responded to what was dispatched as a routine noise complaint. The call led him to an apartment building where, unbeknownst to him, a violent home invasion was in progress. His arrival interrupted the robbery, a heroic act that would ultimately save the life of the apartment's tenant who had been bound, gagged, and severely beaten.
Upon entering the building alone after his backup had cleared the scene, Aselton encountered a man covered in blood hastily leaving an apartment. Aselton confronted the individual, and a struggle ensued. During the physical altercation, the suspect, later identified as Alex Sostre, produced a handgun he had just stolen from the apartment and fired a single shot, striking Aselton in the forehead. The officer died a short time later at a local hospital.
In the days following the shooting, a tip received during a routine traffic stop led investigators to Sostre, who was arrested three days after Officer Aselton's death. The investigation also led to the apprehension of three accomplices who were involved in the home invasion: Nency Forty, Erika Villegas, and Jose Gonzalez. Sostre was subsequently charged with capital murder.
Ultimately, Alex Sostre was convicted of the murder of Officer Brian Aselton and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His accomplices also faced justice for their roles in the crime that led to the officer's tragic death. Jose Gonzalez, who drove the others to the apartment, was sentenced to prison for his involvement. Nency Forty's defense established her as having a diminished role, saving her from a life sentence.
