NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A New Haven man was sentenced in the city’s Superior Court to 20 years imprisonment on Monday for offenses related to threatening a woman with a gun and attempting to murder a New Haven police officer in 2022.
According to a release from the state’s Division of Criminal Justice, 38-year-old Jose Claudio pled guilty in September to charges of attempted murder, assault on a public safety officer, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm and first-degree threatening.
Court records revealed that Claudio threatened a woman with a gun in the Fair Haven section of New Haven on Sept. 14, 2022.
Then, on Oct. 7, 2022, around 1:30 a.m., New Haven Police Officer Chad Curry responded to a car crash at Chapel Street and Blatchley Avenue and saw that a vehicle struck a utility pole. Prosecutors say that Curry saw Claudio going in and out of the damaged car and that Claudio fled west onto Chapel Street when he saw Curry.
Curry proceeded to follow Claudio in his patrol vehicle, and at one point, Claudio displayed a handgun and fired multiple shots toward Curry, striking his patrol vehicle. Curry exited his vehicle and returned fire. Prosecutors say Claudio ran across the intersection, took cover behind a fan and exchanged more fire with Curry, who was in the middle of the intersection.
Curry realized he was wounded by gunfire and returned to his vehicle. According to prosecutors, Claudio ran north on Blatchley Avenue, firing more shots in Curry’s direction. It was later determined Claudio fired nine rounds at Curry, who sustained gunshot wounds to his left ear and right rear shoulder. Prosecutors say Curry has since returned to duty with the New Haven Police Department.
On Oct. 7, 2022, an arrest warrant was issued for Claudio. Prosecutors say that a multi-agency led to Claudio being taken into custody the following day by both Hartford and New Haven police at a residence in Hartford. He was reportedly in possession of two firearms, one which was forensically linked to the shooting of Curry. As a previously convicted felon, it was illegal for Claudio to have any firearms.
In December 2023, the Office of Inspector General deemed it justified for Curry to have used deadly force in response to Claudio’s actions.
RELATED: Report says use of force was justified in 2022 New Haven shooting where officer was wounded
Curry addressed the court at Claudio’s sentencing. While he still is on the force, he has been limited to light or restricted duty and still has a projectile lodged in his shoulder.
State’s Attorney John Doyle, Jr. recognized the New Haven Police Department, the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad and the Office of Inspector General for their investigative efforts.
He also credited the Hartford Police Department and Hartford Judicial District’s State Attorney’s Office for their help apprehending Claudio. Lastly, he thanked the New Haven Police Department for its cooperation and professionalism during the investigation and prosecution.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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