The Hartford police officer who fired the shots that killed a man whose family says was in the midst of a mental health episode last month as been terminated, effective immediately.
Video evidence released by the state Inspector General shows that Officer Joseph Magnano fired nine shots, fatally wounding Steven "Stevie" Jones on Blue Hills Avenue on February 27.
Mayor Arunan Arulampalam says he made the decision to fire Magnano. He says body cam video shows three officers on hand prior to Magnano's arrival had the situation under control before Magnano arrived, screamed a warning at Jones several times as the man walked slowly towards him, then opened fire.
"I saw one officer, Officer Magnano, come in late to the scene, to not work with his teammates, not deescalate, and the end result of that was a tragic incident," said the mayor at a City Hall press conference on Friday.
The mayor added this, in a published statement:
The Hartford Police Department is built on a foundation of trust and a commitment to serving every resident with excellence. To maintain that bond, we must ensure that every individual wearing a Hartford badge meets the highest professional standards.
In the body-worn camera footage of the incident, as well as publicly shared videos, I saw three officers work together as a team to de-escalate a mental health crisis in a way that exemplifies the best of our police department. The actions of Officer Magnano do not measure up to those standards.
The Hartford Police Union has called the shooting a case of justified self-defense. Union president James Rutkauski told the Hartford Courant, “Our mayor caved to political pressure. He is a coward. He is devoid of any semblance of leadership or manhood."
An attorney for Magnano promises a lawsuit against the city. Norm Pattis says, “Firing Mr. Magnano is a stunning act of cynicism by the City. He acted as he was trained to act. Firing him for putting his life on the line and acting consistent with his training is no justification for firing him and an insult to every officer risking his or her life daily."
Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, who eulogized Jones at his funeral Thursday, said, "Mayor Arulampalam made the right call. Firing Officer Magnano is a necessary first step, but the Jones family and the people of Hartford deserve full justice, and (National Action Network) will continue to stand with them until that justice is delivered.”
The state Inspector General's office is the lead agency in the investigation.
