Gunman Fired Shots At Officer During Robbery: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — A Hamden man is being held on a $1 million bond on charges that he exchanged gunfire with a police officer during an armed robbery of Krauzer’s on State Street Wednesday night. The suspect, 31-year-old K’waun Cole, was taken into custody after being found hiding underneath a parked car. Cole was suffering from gunshot wounds to his finger and torso and was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Town officials alerted residents in the State Street/Welton Street area late Wednesday night that police were actively searching for an “armed and dangerous” suspect and advised residents to lock their doors and stay in their homes. Mayor Curt Balzano Leng notified residents at about 10:45 p.m. that the suspect had been captured and was in police custody.

The situation unfolded at about 9 p.m. on Jan. 24 when a Hamden police officer on patrol in the area of State Street and Ridge Road was stopped at a red light and saw a person running across the parking lot of Krauzer’s Food Store, located at 1959 State Street, trying to get his attention. The person told police that a robbery was taking place inside the store.

The officer entered the store and saw a man, who was wearing a “black mask,” standing inside. Smith said the suspect then pointed a handgun at the officer and fired.

“The officer tactically retreated, in an attempt to gain cover,” Smith said in a press release. “The individual approached the front door of Krauser’s Food Store, and engaged the officer in gunfire. Shortly thereafter, the individual re-entered the store, before quickly existing through a side emergency door. While standing in an adjacent alleyway, the individual turned towards the officer. The officer fired several times. The individual then fled in an eastbound direction.”

Hamden Police, with the assistance of the New Haven Police Department set up a perimeter in the area. Sgt. Jason Venditto and his K-9 partner “Viking” reported that the suspect was in the area of 1825 State Street, according to Smith.

Police located Cole, was suffering from gunshot wounds to his finger and torso, hiding underneath a parked motor vehicle, Smith said. Hamden Fire Rescue was summoned and rendered medical assistance. Cole was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and was released within hours, according to Smith.

Cole, of Warner Street in Hamden, was charged with first-degree robbery, criminal attempt to commit murder and criminal possession of a firearm. Cole, who was detained on a $1 million bond, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Thursday morning.

Cole is a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, according to police.

The Hamden Police Department Detective Division and the Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Squad are conducting the investigation. The Hamden Police Department Ethics and Integrity Unit will be conducting an internal investigation, according to Smith.

Pictured: K’waun Cole, 31, of Hamden / via the Hamden Police Department