Former Hartford Cop Charged In Feb. 27 Fatal Shooting: State

HARTFORD, CT — A former Hartford police officer has been charged with first-degree manslaughter following a state investigation into the fatal shooting of a man experiencing a mental health crisis earlier this year.

Connecticut Inspector General Eliot D. Prescott said Monday, May 18, that former Hartford police officer Joseph Magnano, 23, was charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection with the Feb. 27 shooting death of Steven Jones, 55, on Blue Hills Avenue.

According to the Office of Inspector General, Magnano was released on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear June 5 in Hartford Superior Court.

Prescott’s office also released a 53-page report concluding that Magnano’s use of deadly force “was not objectively reasonable” and “was not legally justified.”

The shooting occurred after Hartford police responded around 11:03 a.m. Feb. 27 to 687 Blue Hills Ave. following a 911 call from a family member reporting that Jones, who is Black, was experiencing an acute mental health crisis, had cut himself and was holding a knife, according to Prescott's report.

HPD Officer Josue Charles was the first officer to arrive and encountered Jones standing outside the apartment building holding a large knife, according to the report.

Investigators said Jones later walked toward Charles on Blue Hills Avenue while ignoring commands to drop the weapon.

Charles deployed a Taser multiple times, but investigators said it did not immobilize Jones.

Officer James Prignano arrived shortly afterward and, according to the report, Jones chased him around a police cruiser before slowing down while still holding the knife.

Officer Jackeline Torres later joined the scene, and the three officers formed a perimeter around Jones while continuing attempts to persuade him to surrender the weapon.

Investigators said Magnano, who is white, arrived at approximately 11:12 a.m. near the intersection of Blue Hills Avenue and Euclid Street.

The report states that Magnano approached Jones with his firearm drawn and repeatedly ordered him to drop the knife.

According to investigators, Jones continued walking toward Magnano while Magnano backed away and warned him, “You’re going to get shot.”

The report states that when Jones continued approaching, Magnano fired nine shots.

Jones suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was treated at the scene before being transported to a hospital.

He died from his injuries on March 3, according to the report.

Prescott said Magnano was 23 years old at the time of the shooting and had been employed by the Hartford Police Department for about 16 months.

Investigators said he had no prior disciplinary history with the department.

The investigation involved assistance from the Hartford Police Department, Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office, Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad and state forensic units.

"After an investigation into the totality of the circumstances of Officer Magnano’s use of deadly force, I have determined that his actions were not objectively reasonable," wrote Prescott in his report.

"Accordingly, I conclude that his use of deadly force was not legally justified."

The incident touched off a firestorm of controversy, with the Hartford Police Union backing Magnano and saying he was justified in shooting and killing Jones, citing self-defense and Jones' wielding a knife.

But Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, citing poor job performance, fired the 23-year-old cop a month after the shooting as state investigators probed the case.

Arulampalam said Monday that the firing and subsequent criminal charge against Magnano reflect the city’s commitment to accountability and crisis de-escalation following the fatal shooting of Steven Jones earlier this year.

In a statement released after Magnano was charged, Arulampalam said he terminated the officer because his actions during the Feb. 27 encounter violated “the core principles of public safety, care, and crisis de-escalation that Hartford demands of its officers.”

“As I’ve said before, the Hartford Police Department is built on a foundation of trust and a commitment to serving every resident with excellence,” Arulampalam said. “Today represents a critical, independent step towards ensuring that the foundation remains stable.”

The family of Jones, meanwhile, has retained high-profile civil rights attorney Ben Crump as it is suing the HPD and the City of Hartford in Connection with the incident.

Crump said Monday the manslaughter charge is “a necessary and meaningful step toward accountability” in the fatal shooting of Jones earlier this year.

“The charging of this officer is a necessary and meaningful step toward accountability for Stevie Jones and his family,” Crump said in a statement. “Stevie was in the middle of a mental health crisis, and instead of receiving the care he needed, he was shot nine times.”

“This charge reflects what the family has known all along: that what happened to Stevie was not justified,” he added.

Crump said the case also highlights the need for broader policy changes.

“But accountability does not end with one charge,” he said. “We will continue to push for the Steven Jones Law, because his death must mean something beyond this courtroom.”

“No family should ever have to bury a loved one because the systems meant to help them failed them so completely,” Crump continued. “We will not rest until his legacy produces real, lasting change.”

Crump’s office announced a news conference for Tuesday to discuss the case further.

At Jones' funeral in Bloomfield in March, Jones was eulogized by prominent civil rights activist Al Sharpton.

For the full 53-page report from the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General, click on this link.

From March 27: 'Hartford Mayor Fires HPD Cop Who Shot, Killed Man; Police Union Rips City: UPDATE'

From March 24: 'Civil Rights Icon To Eulogize Hartford Man Killed By Police'

From March 9: 'Family Of Hartford Man Shot, Killed By Police Retains Renowned Legal Figure'

From March 6: 'New Report Outlines New Details In Fatal Hartford Police Shooting Feb. 27: State'

From March 3: 'Man Shot By Hartford Cop Last Week Dies From Injuries: State'

From March 2: 'VIDEO: Footage Released Of Officer-Involved Shooting Last Friday In Hartford'

From March 2: 'Leaders Seek Answers Following Officer-Involved Shooting In Hartford'

From Feb. 27: 'Hartford Police Shoot Knife-Wielding Man Late Friday Morning: Reports'