New Haven Man, 38, Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder Of Cop: Court

NEW HAVEN, CT —A 38-year-old New Haven man pleaded guilty earlier this month to threatening a New Haven woman with a gun in September 2022, and the attempted murder of a New Haven police officer a month later, in October 2022, said John P. Doyle, Jr., New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney.

Jose Claudio pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder, assault on a public safety officer, first-degree threatening, and two counts of criminal possession of a firearm. His sentencing is set for Nov. 4 in New Haven Superior Court.

Doyle said court records show Claudio threatened a woman with a firearm in the Fair Haven section of New Haven on Sept. 14, 2022. The following month, on Oct. 7, 2022, at 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 car had struck a utility pole.

What happened next is from court records, a Doyle press release, previous Patch reporting, and dashcam video:

Curry saw a man, later identified as Claudio, going in and out of the damaged car. When Claudio saw Curry, he fled west on Chapel Street. Curry turned his patrol vehicle around and followed Claudio. At one point, Claudio displayed a handgun and fired numerous shots toward Curry, striking the windshield of his patrol vehicle. Curry got out of the patrol car and fired back. 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.

Curry returned to duty.

According to Doyle, and Patch reporting, an arrest warrant was issued for Claudio Oct. 7, 2022. A multi-agency investigation led to the apprehension of Claudio in Hartford on Oct. 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. And, court records show Claudio has criminal convictions for felony conspiracy to traffic hallucinogens, and misdemeanors including evading, disorderly conduct, and breach of peace.

Curry justified in using deadly force: OIG

The Office of Inspector General investigated the incident and in December 2023, Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr., found that, based on the facts in the case, Curry was justified under state law "in using deadly physical force in response to the actions of Claudio." Read that Patch story here, and the full report here and below:

Office of the Inspector Gen... by Ellyn Santiago

In a news release Thursday, State’s Attorney Doyle credits the New Haven Police Department, the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad 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.