(Middletown, CT) – Michael A. Gailor, State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Middlesex, today announced that on February 18, 2025, the Honorable Laura Flynn Baldini sentenced Antwan Rufus, age 36, of Middletown, to 16 ½ years in prison to be followed by 10 ½ years of special parole for shooting a man and for his unlawful possession of a firearm in Middletown in 2021.
On October 25, 2024, Rufus was found guilty after a jury trial in Middletown Superior Court of two counts of Assault in the First Degree, one in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-59(a)(1) and the other in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-59(a)(5), Carrying a Pistol without a Permit, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 29-35(a), Carrying a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 29-38(a), Criminal Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217(a)(1), and Criminal Possession of a Pistol, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217c(a)(1).
Court records indicate Rufus exited a car in Traverse Square and began shooting at a man he had previously threatened. Rufus, who was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions, fired six shots at the individual striking him multiple times and causing the individual to suffer serious physical injury.
The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Germain. State’s Attorney Gailor and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Germain praised the investigative work of both the Middletown and Meriden Police Departments and expressed their gratitude to the members of the State Forensic Laboratory for their assistance on the case.