A federal jury in New Haven has convicted Eric D. Cox, 42, of Southington, on firearm and narcotics charges related to a 2020 shooting incident in Hartford. The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Evidence presented at trial showed that on September 4, 2020, Cox was involved in a violent altercation near Hartford Hospital. During the confrontation, Cox was slashed with a knife and responded by firing multiple shots at his assailant and others nearby. A bystander was struck several times as a result. Police recovered cartridge casings from Jefferson Street and found a discarded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol outside the hospital’s emergency department entrance after being alerted by an employee. A search of Cox’s vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 28 grams of cocaine. Forensic analysis later confirmed Cox’s DNA on the firearm.
Cox has a prior federal conviction from 2008 for distributing crack cocaine, for which he served five years in prison.
The jury found him guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon—a charge that carries up to ten years in prison—and possession of cocaine, which could result in up to two years’ imprisonment.
Cox is currently free on a $100,000 bond while awaiting sentencing; no date has been set.
The other individual involved in the altercation was prosecuted separately by the Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office.
The investigation involved the Drug Enforcement Administration and Hartford Police Department, with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Dearington and Mary G. Vitale are prosecuting the case.
