17-year-old facing 112 counts after intending to commit ‘suicide by cop’ at Manchester elementary school

MANCHESTER, Conn. (WTNH) — A 17-year-old suspect is facing 112 counts after they were walking near the playground of Verplanck Elementary School with an airsoft rifle on Monday in Manchester, according to police.

2 West Haven High students charged after airsoft gun found at school

The school was placed under lockdown out of precaution. Witnesses reported that the individual was pointing the rifle at the school, into classroom windows and at students and staff. During the investigation, it was determined that the suspect pointed the weapon at 29 children and 10 adults on the school grounds.

The suspect, a 17-year-old from Manchester, said that he was intended to commit “suicide by cop.” He was charged with multiple offenses, including:

• Reckless Endangerment (39 counts)

• Breach of Peace in the Second Degree (40 counts)

• Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds

• Carrying a Dangerous Weapon

• Illegal Use of a Facsimile Firearm

• Risk of Injury (29 counts)

• Threatening in the First Degree

“It’s the type of call that when you hear it, everybody goes, you are talking about a weapon on school grounds,” Manchester Police Department Lt. Nick Reinert said.

Reinert gave a lot of credit to teachers and administrators for their quick response.

“They noticed a threat, they got the students inside right away, they secured the school and went into a lockdown, and made sure the doors were locked, and they gave us good information of what was going on and where he was,” Reinert said.

Cooperation, training and lockdown drills with police departments are some of the things that Reinert said lead to this outcome where no one was hurt.

The suspect will not be identified due to his age.

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