Hartford Mayor Fires HPD Cop Who Shot, Killed Man; Police Union Rips City: UPDATE

HARTFORD, CT — The Hartford Police Department officer who shot and killed a knife-wielding man in the city on Feb. 27 has been fired, according to the mayor.

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam issued a statement Friday afternoon detailing why HPD officer Joseph Magnano was fired effective immediately.

"Since the tragic officer-involved shooting on February 27, 2026, involving Mr. Steven Jones, I have been clear about my administration's commitment to accountability and a thorough review of our public safety protocols," the mayor said in a statement.

"I've also been consistently clear that I viewed what we've all seen in the body cam footage as deeply concerning."

Arulampalam said while state authorities continue to investigate the incident, the City of Hartford has also conducted its own probe "to identify avenues of response."

This, he said, led to his decision to terminate Magnano on Friday.

"Today, I have made the determination that the city's employment of Officer Joseph Magnano is terminated effective immediately on the grounds of his performance," Arulampalam said.

In announcing the firing, Arulampalam praised the work of the other officers involved in the Jones incident.

"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," he said.

"The actions of Officer Magnano do not measure up to those standards."

The mayor said he wants a police force that is "effective, transparent, and rooted in the respect and trust of the people of Hartford."

According to the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General's preliminary report released earlier this month, Magnano arrived at 11:12 a.m. Feb. 27 near the intersection of Blue Hills Avenue and Euclid Street as the incident had already unfolded several minutes prior.

After exiting his cruiser, Magnano approached with his firearm drawn and ordered Jones, 55, to drop the knife, investigators said.

As Jones walked toward him, Magnano repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon and warned him: “You’re going to get shot.”

Magnano continued backing away as Jones advanced. When the two reached the middle of the intersection, Magnano yelled, “Last time, drop the knife, drop it,” and then fired nine shots from his service weapon, according to the report.

Jones fell to the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.

Nearby officers immediately began providing medical aid, investigators said.

Emergency medical personnel arrived within two minutes and transported Jones to a hospital, where he died on March 3.

Magnano's firing comes days after the Hartford Police Union publicly issued messages and videos of support for the officers, saying the fatal shooting, as well as one earlier in February, were justified.

The Hartford Police Union released a statement on March 13 on the situation surrounding the shooting and subsequent death of Jones, who was laid to rest at a high-profile funeral service in Bloomfield on Thursday, March 26.

Jones' funeral featured prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump and civil rights activist Al Sharpton, who delivered the eulogy. Jones’ family has retained Crump.

Crump issued a statement Friday regarding Magnano's firing.

“The firing of this officer is an important step toward accountability, but it cannot be the end of the process. Stevie Jones should be alive today. His family deserves full transparency and a thorough, independent investigation," Crump said.

"We will continue pressing for answers, accountability, and meaningful changes so that any person experiencing a mental health crisis is met with care, compassion, and de-escalation –not deadly force.”

Critics have contended that police should have better de-escalated the situation instead of shooting Jones.

Police, however, contended the shooting was the elimination of a threat that jeopardized the safety of officers and bystanders alike.

The Hartford Police Union said in its statement that video evidence is clear and released a video on the matter that "clearly explains the lawful use of force by our officer, rooted in U.S. Supreme Court precedents, state law, department policies, and the science of high-stress human performance."

The union criticized both the city, the HPD, and the media regarding its handling of this officer-involved shooting, as well as another fatal shooting earlier in February.

"The City of Hartford, Hartford Police Department leadership, and local media have repeatedly failed to deliver honest, evidence-based explanations of officer-involved shootings," wrote the union.

"Their silence and incomplete narratives have emboldened a vocal minority of anti-police activists to spread doubt and misinformation to undermine our community's safety and trust."

On Sunday, March 22, the Hartford Police Union released multiple videos explaining their stand on the shootings.

The union released another statement on Friday, March 27, saying the mayor's firing of Magnano could create problems for current police and inhibit the way they do their jobs.

"This is not about one officer. It is a clear warning of dark times ahead for Hartford," wrote the union in a statement on March 27.

"When Mayor Arunan Arulampalam punishes officers for doing their sworn duty, it tells every cop on the street and every prospective recruit the same message: Hartford will not have your back.

"We are already facing severe staffing shortages. Qualified candidates are walking away," continued the union. "This decision makes it worse.

"Officers will now hesitate in split-second situations, not out of fear of the suspect, but out of fear of political second-guessing afterward," wrote the union. "Those lost seconds will slow responses and leave families more exposed as criminals sense the weakness."

Regarding Jones' death, a preliminary report released March 6 by the Connecticut Office of Inspector General found the shooting occurred while Jones was experiencing an acute mental health crisis and brandishing a knife.

The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Jones died from “complications of gunshot wounds involving the torso” and classified the manner of death as a homicide.

Jones' death was the second fatal incident involving a mental health check and Hartford police.

On Feb. 19, Hartford police shot and killed a knife-wielding man in his apartment after a reported mental health check turned violent.

The family of that victim has also announced their intent to sue the City of Hartford and the Hartford Police Department regarding that incident.

From March 24: 'Civil Rights Icon To Eulogize Hartford Man Killed By Police'

From March 9: 'Family Of Hartford Man Shot, Killed By Police Retains Renowned Legal Figure'

From March 6: 'New Report Outlines New Details In Fatal Hartford Police Shooting Feb. 27: State'

From March 3: 'Man Shot By Hartford Cop Last Week Dies From Injuries: State'

From March 2: 'VIDEO: Footage Released Of Officer-Involved Shooting Last Friday In Hartford'