An elementary school in East Haven was put into lockdown on Tuesday when police received the report of someone possibly having a firearm at a nearby apartment complex.
The lockdown and shelter-in-place order was put into effect in the morning hours at Momauguin Elementary School, according to Capt. Joseph M. Murgo of the East Haven Police Department.
Murgo said the lockdown was enacted as a precaution when police received the report of an individual possibly in possession of a firearm in the Breezewood Condo Complex at 130 Coe Ave. around 8:10 a.m. According to Google Maps, the school is three-tenths of a mile away from the complex.
East Haven Public Safety Dispatch alerted officers that the caller reported being threatened by a man who allegedly pointed a rifle at him from a condominium window during a verbal altercation, according to Murgo.
Murgo said investigators “immediately” made contact with “all involved parties” in the firearm complaint and secured the scene. The lockdown was lifted after a “brief” time, he said.
Officers spoke with the caller, who described the incident and pointed out the unit where the alleged armed man lived. Investigators determined that the man, later identified as 50-year-old Vincent Esposito, allegedly pointed a rifle at the complainant while making verbal threats during the dispute, which allegedly stemmed from a complaint about loud music coming from a car as it was warming up, Murgo said.
Officers made several attempts to make contact with Esposito, who eventually came out of his residence and was taken into police custody, according to Murgo. Officers reportedly located a BB rifle in Esposito’s residence that matched the description provided by the complainant. It was seized and secured, Murgo said.
Esposito was transported to the East Haven Police Department where he was charged with first-degree threatening, carrying or sale of a dangerous weapon and second-degree breach of peace. He was being held on a $100,000 surety bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 5, according to Murgo.
Police are asking residents in the area to review any video footage they have that may aid in the investigation. Any relevant video can be sent to Officer Ryan Michalowski at rmichalowski@easthavenpolice.com.
