(New Haven, CT) - John P. Doyle, Jr., New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced that Jose Claudio, age 38, of New Haven, was sentenced today in New Haven Superior Court to 20 years in prison for several offenses related to the threatening of a New Haven woman with a firearm in September 2022, and the attempted murder of a New Haven police officer in October 2022.
Claudio previously pleaded guilty to charges of Attempted Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a, Assault on a Public Safety Officer in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-167c, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217 and Threatening in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-61aa.
Court records show the defendant threatened a woman with a firearm in the Fair Haven section of New Haven on September 14, 2022. The following month, on October 7, 2022, at approximately 1:30 a.m., New Haven Police Officer Chad Curry responded to a car crash at Chapel Street and Blatchley Avenue and observed that a car had struck a utility pole. Officer Curry saw a male, later identified as Jose Claudio, going in and out of the damaged car. When Claudio saw Officer Curry, he fled west on Chapel Street. Officer Curry turned his patrol vehicle around and followed Claudio. At one point, Claudio displayed a handgun and fired numerous shots toward Officer Curry, striking the windshield of his patrol vehicle. Officer Curry exited his patrol vehicle and returned fire. Claudio ran across the intersection, took cover behind a van and continued firing at Officer Curry who was now in the middle of the intersection. When Officer Curry realized that he was wounded by gunfire, he returned to his patrol vehicle for cover. Claudio then ran north on Blatchley Avenue firing more shots in Officer Curry’s direction. During the exchange of gunfire between Claudio and Officer Curry, it was determined that Claudio fired nine times in the direction of Officer Curry. Officer Curry sustained gunshot wounds to his left ear area and right rear shoulder. Officer Curry has returned to duty with the New Haven Police Department.
An arrest warrant was issued for Claudio on October 7, 2022. A multi-agency investigation led to the apprehension of Claudio in Hartford on October 8, 2022. Claudio was apprehended by the New Haven Police Department and the Hartford Police Department at a residence in Hartford, where he was in possession of two firearms, one of which was forensically linked to the shooting of Officer Curry. A previously convicted felon, Claudio is prohibited under state law from possessing firearms.
Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 51-277a(a)(1), the Office of Inspector General investigated the October 7, 2022 incident. In December 2023, Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr., determined that based on the facts in this case, Officer Curry was justified under Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-22(c) in using deadly physical force in response to the actions of Claudio. The link to the Office of Inspector General report posted on the Division of Criminal Justice website is here.
Officer Curry addressed the court at Claudio’s sentencing. While still employed as a New Haven Police Officer, he has been limited to light or restricted duty since this incident. He still has a projectile lodged in his shoulder.
The case was prosecuted by State’s Attorney Doyle and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Seth R. Garbarsky, who were assisted by Inspector Alphonso Vazquez. State’s Attorney Doyle credits the New Haven Police Department, the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad (WDMCS) and the Office of Inspector General for their thorough investigation of this incident. The Hartford Police Department and the Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office are credited for their assistance in apprehending the defendant. The New Haven Police Department is further credited for their cooperation and professionalism during the pendency of this investigation and prosecution.