A white former police officer in Connecticut has been charged with manslaughter after fatally shooting a Black man who was experiencing a mental health crisis, following a state investigation that found he failed to de-escalate the situation.
Joseph Magnano, who was fired by the Hartford Police Department, shot Steven Jones, 55, on 27 February. Jones, who had a history of mental illness, was walking in the street holding a large knife and had cut himself, according to a 911 call from his sister.
Body camera footage showed Magnano arriving as three other officers were calmly trying to speak to Jones. Magnano immediately shouted at Jones to drop the knife and fired nine shots less than a minute after leaving his vehicle.
The Connecticut Inspector General's arrest warrant stated that Magnano “did not engage in de-escalation measures” and “failed to make reasonable attempts to use non-lethal force.” It also concluded that Jones “did not pose an imminent threat to bystanders” and that Magnano had “ample space” to back away.
Hartford Police Union President James Rutkauski accused the inspector general of rushing its findings, saying Magnano was “defending his fellow officers, the community, himself.” Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Jones’ family, called the charges a “necessary and meaningful step toward accountability,” adding that Jones “was shot nine times” instead of receiving care.
