NEW BRITAIN, Conn — A vigil of remembrance and a march for justice was held simultaneously Wednesday. It was organized by heartbroken New Britain sisters who are also outraged over the death of their mother.
The vigil was held at 5:00 p.m. at St. George’s Church near where Katherine Colon was killed. The attendees then marched to Central Park outside city hall.
Eventually, they took their concerns inside. Speaking during the public comment portion of the Common Council meeting.
"She’s been dead for over a month and her family is told to wait," said Diana Martinez of Middletown.
It was September 21st at about 1:00 a.m. when Katherine Colon was struck and killed in the area of West Main Street and Lexington. The 40-year-old mother of four, struck by New Britain Police Officer Connor Reinsch, who the Mayor’s office says was responding to a burglary.
It’s still unclear what Katherine Colon was doing out at 1 a,m. But it’s also still unclear exactly where the officer was responding or how fast he was going. Both the New Britain Police and Mayor’s Office declined to comment further pending ongoing investigations.
“She was caring, she was loving. She was hard-working,” said Daniah Sawyer, the daughter of Katherine Colon.
The grieving sisters want answers.
“I want to know, how fast were you going that you could not see my mother? Were your lights and sirens on?” asked Maribel Rodriguez.
Sisters Maribel and Daniah sat down around their kitchen table in New Britain to remember and advocate for their beloved mother, Katherine. “Ultimately what we are trying to get today is accountability and transparency,” said Maribel.
Police Chief Matt Marino said in a statement that Reinsch, “will be out of work and placed on restricted duty…”
The incident is being investigated by the State Police, the State’s Attorney’s Office and New Britain Police. But more than a month since Katherine’s death, Maribel and Daniah said city officials have been silent and that their silence speaks volumes.
“We still don’t have answers as to why it happened. When a police officer is killed our Puerto Rican parades are canceled, things are shut down. But now when a tragedy happens in our community everyone is silent,” said Maribel.
Maribel and Daniah said they are now grieving at the same time they are investigating. They remembered the woman who raised them. Her love of roses, the color red, the outdoors, a day at the beach.
“I would rather be at the beach with my mother than having to march and speak in front of people about how important she was,” said Maribel. “She cared for others more than she cared for herself and it shows through everything she ever did,” added Daniah.
After the march and vigil, the sisters and their brother and family shared their gratitude for the community's support.
"I felt so much love so there was so much sadness but there’s so much love cause I’m like I love to see everybody here to support me and my family," Daniah said.
New Britain mayor Erin Stewart is currently out on maternity leave but in an email, her deputy chief Adam Rembisz said:
"The New Britain Police Department has been in contact with the family; however, we were told by them that they hired an attorney who advised them not to speak to anyone regarding the incident. We did reach out to the event coordinator yesterday and offered assistance with the walk they are having this evening to be sure all are kept safe if they wanted it. Of course, we send our deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Colon during this time of grief."
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Gaby Molina is a reporter and anchor at FOX61 News. She can be reached at mmolina@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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