By Ashley Silver
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Dash cam video caught the moments before and after an officer-involved shooting in Connecticut that left a New Haven police officer wounded.
According to NBC Connecticut and newly released video, Officer Chad Curry was attempting to apprehend 36-year-old Jose Claudio, who was fleeing on foot after committing a hit-and-run. Once the officer got close to Claudio, he began firing shots toward Officer Curry. The officer was hit in the ear and shoulder, but still managed to return fire.
“[He] put himself at risk significantly in order to protect himself and the community,” New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker told NBC.
The officer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and released a short time after. When fellow officers visited the officer, they reported he was in good spirits.
“He’s a strong kid. He made jokes. He thanks his fellow workers. It was a really good interaction,” New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson said.
NBC Connecticut reports Claudio was taken into custody and hit with various charges including assault in the first degree on a police officer and reckless endangerment.
Jacobson hails the officer as hero who went above the call of duty, despite being injured, to get a dangerous individual off the street.
“It’s truly, and I have a hard time talking about it, a proud moment. That officer acted with courage and immediately acted in the way he needed to act,” Jacobson told NBC.
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