A 17-year-old faces multiple charges after allegedly bringing a rifle-style airsoft gun to a Manchester elementary school on Monday with the intention to commit “suicide by cop.”
Officers responded to a reports of an armed individual near the playground at Verplanck Elementary School just before 1:20 p.m. on Monday, according to Lt. Nicholas Reinert of the Manchester Police Department.
The suspect was described as a male dressed in all back carrying a duffel bag and a rifle. Witnesses told police they saw the male at the back of the building and video released by police shows him “pointing the rifle at the school, into classroom windows and at students and staff,” Reinert said.
Officers located the male still holding the rifle, according to Reinert. The officer told the male to drop the weapon repeatedly and get on the ground. After several commands, the male complied and was taken into custody, Reinert said.
The suspect was identified as a 17-year-old from Manchester. According to Reinert, he allegedly told police he intended to commit “suicide by cop.”
“During the investigation, it was determined that the suspect pointed the weapon, a rifle-style airsoft gun, at 29 children and 10 adults on the school grounds,” Reinert said.
According to Manchester Public Schools officials, the school was placed in “lockdown” during the incident. “Students and staff remained in their classrooms and no one was able to enter or exit the building,” Manchester Superintendent of Schools Matthew Geary said in a release to the community.
“Thanks to the swift work of the MPD and Verplanck’s administration and staff, the lockdown at Verplanck lasted about 30 minutes and the district-wide lockdown lasted about 10 minutes,” Geary added.
The teen is charged with first-degree threatening, 39 counts of reckless endangerment, 40 counts of second-degree breach of peace, possession of a weapon on school grounds, carrying a dangerous weapon, illegal use of a facsimile firearm and 29 counts of risk of injury.
The teen’s identity was not released due to his age, according to Reinert.
“We are thankful for our officers’ swift and professional actions, which prevented what could have been a devastating incident,” Reinert said. “The Manchester Police Department would like to commend the faculty and staff of Verplanck Elementary School for their cooperation and courage during this stressful situation. The investigation remains ongoing. We urge anyone with additional information to contact the Manchester Police Department.”
