Topline: Joseph Magnano faces a first-degree manslaughter charge after firing nine rounds within two minutes of arriving at a scene where other officers were trying to calm Steven “Stevie” Jones.
Published: September 18, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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Joseph Magnano, left, and Steven “Stevie” Jones
HARTFORD, CT — Former Hartford police officer Joseph Magnano faces a first-degree manslaughter charge in the fatal shooting of Steven “Stevie” Jones during a confrontation on Blue Hills Avenue on Feb. 27.
Magnano, 24, was scheduled for a Sept. 17 court appearance, with a plea still pending in court records cited by WTNH. The station’s report described findings from Connecticut’s Office of the Inspector General that other officers were attempting to de-escalate a mental health crisis when Magnano arrived.
Jones was holding a knife, and officers were trying to persuade him to put it down, according to the inspector general’s report. Magnano had not been dispatched to the call. After reaching the scene, he fired nine rounds within two minutes, the report said.
Jones survived the initial shooting but died from his injuries on March 3. The medical examiner’s office classified his death as a homicide.
On March 27, the Hartford Police Department fired Magnano after Mayor Arunan Arulampalam determined he could no longer serve as an officer. The Hartford Police Union challenged the dismissal through a grievance alleging wrongful termination.
Magnano also surrendered to police on March 27 and was released on a $50,000 bond. He later appeared at a July court hearing that lasted about a minute, WTNH reported.
The cited report did not include an outcome from the Sept. 17 hearing or a plea entered by Magnano.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Former Hartford Officer Faces Manslaughter Charge After Fatal Shooting of Man in Crisis
Joseph Magnano faces a first-degree manslaughter charge after firing nine rounds within two minutes of arriving at a scene where other officers were trying to calm Steven “Stevie” Jones.
By Randy Shaw
Published: September 18, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Joseph Magnano, left, and Steven “Stevie” Jones
HARTFORD, CT — Former Hartford police officer Joseph Magnano faces a first-degree manslaughter charge in the fatal shooting of Steven “Stevie” Jones during a confrontation on Blue Hills Avenue on Feb. 27.
Magnano, 24, was scheduled for a Sept. 17 court appearance, with a plea still pending in court records cited by WTNH. The station’s report described findings from Connecticut’s Office of the Inspector General that other officers were attempting to de-escalate a mental health crisis when Magnano arrived.
Jones was holding a knife, and officers were trying to persuade him to put it down, according to the inspector general’s report. Magnano had not been dispatched to the call. After reaching the scene, he fired nine rounds within two minutes, the report said.
Jones survived the initial shooting but died from his injuries on March 3. The medical examiner’s office classified his death as a homicide.
On March 27, the Hartford Police Department fired Magnano after Mayor Arunan Arulampalam determined he could no longer serve as an officer. The Hartford Police Union challenged the dismissal through a grievance alleging wrongful termination.
Magnano also surrendered to police on March 27 and was released on a $50,000 bond. He later appeared at a July court hearing that lasted about a minute, WTNH reported.
The cited report did not include an outcome from the Sept. 17 hearing or a plea entered by Magnano.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Former Hartford Officer Faces Manslaughter Charge After Fatal Shooting of Man in Crisis
Joseph Magnano faces a first-degree manslaughter charge after firing nine rounds within two minutes of arriving at a scene where other officers were trying to calm Steven “Stevie” Jones.
By Randy Shaw
Published: September 18, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Joseph Magnano, left, and Steven “Stevie” Jones
HARTFORD, CT — Former Hartford police officer Joseph Magnano faces a first-degree manslaughter charge in the fatal shooting of Steven “Stevie” Jones during a confrontation on Blue Hills Avenue on Feb. 27.
Magnano, 24, was scheduled for a Sept. 17 court appearance, with a plea still pending in court records cited by WTNH. The station’s report described findings from Connecticut’s Office of the Inspector General that other officers were attempting to de-escalate a mental health crisis when Magnano arrived.
Jones was holding a knife, and officers were trying to persuade him to put it down, according to the inspector general’s report. Magnano had not been dispatched to the call. After reaching the scene, he fired nine rounds within two minutes, the report said.
Jones survived the initial shooting but died from his injuries on March 3. The medical examiner’s office classified his death as a homicide.
On March 27, the Hartford Police Department fired Magnano after Mayor Arunan Arulampalam determined he could no longer serve as an officer. The Hartford Police Union challenged the dismissal through a grievance alleging wrongful termination.
Magnano also surrendered to police on March 27 and was released on a $50,000 bond. He later appeared at a July court hearing that lasted about a minute, WTNH reported.
The cited report did not include an outcome from the Sept. 17 hearing or a plea entered by Magnano.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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