NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 25, 2018
Contact: Captain Ronald Smith
Phone: (203) 230-4029
PIO# 18-15
On January 24th at approximately 9:00p.m. a Hamden Police Officer was on patrol in the vicinity of State Street and Ridge Road. While stopped at a red control signal, the officer observed a person running across the parking lot of Krauser’s Food Store, 1959 State Street. The person was using hand gestures in an attempt to get the officer’s attention. The officer subsequently spoke with the person, who informed him that a robbery was occurring at Krauser’s Food Store.
Moments later, the officer entered the store. He observed an individual, who was wearing a “black mask”, standing inside. The individual pointed a handgun at the officer and fired. The officer tactically retreated, in an attempt to gain cover. The individual approached the front door of Krauser’s Food Store, and engaged the officer in gunfire. Shortly thereafter, the individual re-entered the store, before quickly existing through a side emergency door. While standing in an adjacent alleyway, the individual turned towards the officer. The officer fired several times. The individual then fled in an eastbound direction.
Hamden Police, with the assistance of the New Haven Police Department set up a perimeter in the area. Sergeant Jason Venditto and his K-9 partner “Viking” reported that the individual was in the area of 1825 State Street. Officers located K’waun Cole, who was hiding underneath a parked motor vehicle. Cole was suffering from gunshot wounds to his finger and torso. Hamden Fire Rescue was summoned and rendered medical assistance. Cole was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Within hours, he was released from the hospital.
Hamden Police arrested K’waun Cole, 31, of 171 Warner Street, Hamden. He was charged with Robbery in the 1st Degree, Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder and Criminal Possession of a Firearm. Cole, who was detained on a $1,000,000.00 bond, is scheduled to appear in court in Meriden this morning.
The Hamden Police Department Detective Division and the Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Squad are conducting the investigation. The Hamden Police Department Ethics and Integrity Unit will be conducting an internal investigation.
The Hamden Police Department will hold a press conference at Hamden Police Headquarters today at 2:00p.m.
