Say this loud, justice for Lauren Smith-Fields!
In the latest update, two detectives are suspended after Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim announced his disappointment with the leadership of the Bridgeport Police Department.
A few weeks ago, a Black woman, Lauren Smith-Fields, 23, went on a date with a white man using the app bumble. Smith-Fields was found dead in her Connecticut apartment on Dec. 12, 2021. The last person she was with, according to the police, was a white man she knew for a few days and met on the dating app. The man’s name is Matthew LaFountain, 37, and despite being the last person to see the victim, he hadn’t been questioned or investigated.
Mayor Ganium said he’s “extremely disappointed with the leadership of the Bridgeport Police Department and find actions taken up to this point unacceptable.” The officers are suspended until the OIA investigation, and disciplinary case are complete. Ganim said,
“The Bridgeport Police Department has high standards for officer sensitivity, especially in matters involving the death of a family member.” He continued,
“It is an unacceptable failure if policies were not followed. To the families, friends, and all who care about the human decency that should be shown in these situations in this case by members of the Bridgeport Police Department, I am very sorry.”
Smith-Fields case is finally under investigation. The news was announced last week. We’ll keep you updated as the story goes on.