Hartford Police Officer Terminated Following Fatal Shooting During Mental Health Crisis
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam has dismissed a white police officer who fatally shot a Black man experiencing a mental health crisis, firing nine rounds approximately thirty seconds after arriving at the scene. This incident occurred despite three fellow officers spending several minutes attempting to de-escalate the situation through calm dialogue and reassurance.
Immediate Termination and Investigation
Officer Joseph Magnano was terminated effective immediately in connection with the February 27th shooting of Steven Jones, who was holding a knife on a city street. Mayor Arulampalam stated that Magnano's actions did not meet the standards demonstrated by the other officers, who worked collaboratively to manage the crisis. The state inspector general's office is currently investigating the shooting to determine whether criminal charges should be filed against Magnano.
Body camera footage revealed that three officers had been engaging with Jones for several minutes, repeatedly urging him to drop the knife while assuring him they were there to help. Officer James Prignano was heard saying, "Steve, you're OK. We're going to make sure you're OK. Just drop the knife. We're going to go talk to somebody, OK?" Jones did not respond verbally in the videos.
Rapid Escalation and Fatal Outcome
Approximately twelve minutes after the initial 911 call placed by Jones' sister, Audrey Jones, who sought assistance for her brother's mental health crisis, Officer Magnano arrived at the scene. The footage shows Magnano immediately drawing his pistol and ordering Jones to drop the knife, warning, "You're going to get shot." A woman can be heard screaming, "Don't shoot him!" as Officer Prignano appears to motion for Magnano to back away.
As Jones slowly walked toward Magnano, the officer issued a final warning before discharging his weapon nine times, about thirty seconds after exiting his police cruiser. Steven Jones succumbed to his injuries at a hospital four days later, according to authorities.
Community Response and Calls for Reform
The firing occurred one day after Jones' funeral, which was attended by prominent civil rights figures including Reverend Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump, who represents Jones' family. Crump emphasized during the service, "Steven had a mental health crisis. He needed a helping hand from the Hartford Police Department, but instead he got nine bullet holes in his body. That is a shame before God. And the status of your mental health and the color of your skin should not equal the death sentence."
Reverend Sharpton described the termination as "a necessary first step," but stressed that "Jones' family and the people of Hartford deserve full justice." Both Sharpton and Crump have called for comprehensive reforms to improve Hartford police responses to calls involving mental health emergencies.
Context of Previous Incident
This shooting followed another fatal police encounter in Hartford just eight days earlier, on February 19th, when Everard Walker was shot by officers in a different neighborhood. In that case, a relative had contacted the 211 health and human services help line, and two mental health professionals requested police accompaniment to Walker's apartment.
Inspector General Eliot Prescott's preliminary report indicates that a physical confrontation ensued involving Walker, two of his children, and officers, during which Walker pulled a knife. Body camera footage shows Walker raising the knife as Officer Geovanny Rivera appears to fall backward, prompting Officer Alexander Clifford to fire several shots. Walker later died at a hospital, and this shooting remains under investigation by Prescott's office.
The Hartford police union has defended Magnano's actions in social media posts, asserting that his use of force was lawful. However, Magnano, who was new to the force and still on probation, has been terminated as the investigations continue. Police Chief James Rovella did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.
