Former Hartford officer charged with manslaughter following deadly use of force investigation
On Feb. 27, Steven Jones was shot and killed by Joseph Magnano on Blue Hills Avenue after officers responded to an emotionally disturbed person call. A family member said Jones was experiencing a mental health crisis.
Following a deadly use of force investigation, former Hartford Police Officer Joseph Magnano has been arrested in connection to the fatal officer-involved shooting of Steven Jones, Inspector General Eliot Prescott announced Monday.
Prescott also concluded that Magnano's use of deadly force was not legally justified.
Magnano has been charged with manslaughter. This is the second time that a police officer has been charged with manslaughter following a deadly use force investigation. The first time involved Sgt. Brian North.
On Feb. 27, Jones was shot and killed by Magnano on Blue Hills Avenue after officers responded to an emotionally disturbed person call. A family member said Jones was experiencing a mental health crisis.
A report from the Office of Inspector General says Jones had knife with him and refused to drop it even after multiple officers asked him to. One officer also deployed his taser on Jones.
The report found that Magnano was one of several officers who responded to the incident. He walked over to where Jones and the officers were and had his firearm drawn. Magnano was within 17 feet of Jones when ordered him to drop his knife. Jones then began to walk toward Magnano who yelled "you're going to get shot." He then walked backward to create distance between himself and Jones.
The report says when the two walked into the middle of the intersection of Blue Hills Avenue and Euclid Street, Magnano yelled, "last time, drop the knife, drop it." Jones then continued to walk towards Magnano, who fired nine shots.
Jones was hit several times and fell to the ground. He died on March 3 from his injuries.
Following the shooting, Magnano was fired by Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam.
Magnano was released on a $50,000 bond and is expected to appear in Hartford Superior Court on June 5.
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