Man Sentenced In Shootout With Police At Hamden Store: Officials

Hamden CT

14 July, 2021

1:39 AM

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HAMDEN, CT — A New Haven man was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison for his role in a 2018 shootout with police after an interrupted convenience store robbery, according to officials. Kwaun Cole, 34, was also sentenced to five years of special parole after the prison term, New Haven State's Attorney Patrick J. Griffin announced. Cole is a multiple-convicted felon with previous convictions for robbery and assault, according to Griffin. While the jury selection process was underway for a scheduled criminal trial, Cole "changed course" on June 3 and pleaded guilty to one count each of criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and criminal possession of a firearm, according to Griffin. The conviction stems from an incident on Jan. 24, 2018, when at approximately 9:10 p.m., Cole entered the Krauszer's Food Store at 1959 State St. in Hamden, wearing a mask and armed with a semi-automatic .380 handgun, according to authorities. "Cole accosted the store clerk and a customer of the store with the handgun, demanding their compliance as he stole cash from the store's register and a cell phone from the customer," officials wrote in a news release. "Before he could make his escape, Cole was confronted by Officer Andrew Pfeiffer of the Hamden Police Department." Pfeiffer had been flagged down by a witness in the parking lot who said the store was being robbed by a man wearing a mask and armed with a handgun., according to officials. Officials said Pfeiffer called in the robbery over the radio and went to the store's front door, where he saw a man with his hands in the air. Based on the witness's statement, Pfeiffer believed the store clerk was being held at gunpoint and was in imminent danger. "Officer Pfeiffer immediately entered the store and confronted the masked robber, later identified as Cole, ordering him to show his hands," officials wrote. "In response, Cole ducked down behind store shelving, pointed a handgun at the officer, and fired a shot. As Officer Pfeiffer tactically retreated from the interior of the store seeking cover, Cole appeared at the front door of the store, exchanging gunfire with the officer. Cole exited the front door of the store firing his handgun as Officer Pfeiffer continued to seek cover. When Officer Pfeiffer returned fire, Cole went back inside, later emerging from an emergency side door running toward Pfeiffer's position. As Officer Pfeiffer fired upon him, Cole fled alongside the building, disappearing from the officer's sight." Cole was later found hiding under a vehicle in the driveway of 1825 State St. He was suffering from injuries to his right hand and fingers and had a "through and through" gunshot wound to his torso, according to Griffin. Cole was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he was treated and released. An investigation by the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad and the New Haven State's Attorney's Office found that Pfeiffer's use of force was justified, according to Griffin. Forensic ballistic evidence determined that, in total, Cole fired six shots from a Hi-Point .380 pistol at Pfeiffer, Griffin said. Griffin noted that the lengthy sentence imposed was "reflective of the serious nature of the crime and the danger that Cole posed to the Greater New Haven Community, and again praised the bravery and restraint exhibited by Officer Pfeiffer, as borne out by the video footage."