Advocates rally in Hartford after death of man shot by police during mental health crisis

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - Activists gathered outside Hartford City Hall on Wednesday morning following the death of a man shot by a Hartford police officer last Friday during what his family is calling a mental health crisis.

Officer Joseph Magnano shot Steven Jones nine times while Jones was walking toward him holding a large knife.

Police said Jones was suicidal and had already cut himself before the shooting. Three officers spent five minutes ordering Jones to drop the knife before Magnano, the fourth officer to arrive on scene, fired nine shots within 30 seconds of his arrival. The incident was captured on body cameras.

Activists call shooting ‘senseless’

Cornell Lewis, a Hartford activist for more than 30 years, joined Pastor Dexter Burke and Carl Adams Sr. on Main Street outside City Hall Wednesday morning to demand accountability.

“The police did not have to shoot him nine times,” Lewis said.

Adams said the shooting was unjustified.

“Nine times in the same spot — that’s senseless cold blooded murder,” Adams said.

Burke directed his criticism at Magnano specifically.

“You’re a danger not only to the police force but the entire community,” Burke said.

Lewis also said officers had other options available to them.

“Nobody attempted to get behind him,” Lewis said. “You could’ve gotten behind him. As a grappler I’m telling you, you could’ve gotten from behind him, grabbed him low around the arms.”

Police union backs officer

The Hartford Police Union issued its first public statement since the shooting, fully supporting Magnano.

“This was 100% justified use of deadly force, necessary, reasonable and in full compliance with federal law… Connecticut state law and Hartford Police Department policy,” the union said in a written statement.

The union also said Magnano survived a life-threatening encounter and deserves respect, and that police should not be society’s default mental health responders.

Magnano has been placed on administrative leave. The Inspector General will investigate the shooting over the coming months.

Channel 3 learned that carrying a Taser is not required in the Hartford Police Department.

The mayor’s office had not issued a comment as of Wednesday evening.