Man Points Loaded .357 Magnum at Enfield Police Officer, Cops Say

Enfield, CT — A noise complaint from a Locke Drive home turned out to have potentially deadly consequences late Saturday night, as a local man allegedly pointed a loaded .357 Magnum at a responding police officer.

Craig Morelli, 57, of 13 Locke Drive, was charged with criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault, criminal attempt to commit assault on a police officer, first-degree threatening, possession of a firearm while under the influence, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree breach of peace.

He was held in lieu of $250,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Enfield Superior Court.

Police Chief Carl Sferrazza said the incident began with a noise complaint at the house around 10:55 p.m. Saturday. Officer David McGann was approaching the front door "when he heard something in the driveway," the chief said.

To register for free for Enfield breaking news alerts and daily newsletter, click here.

McGann observed a white male, later identified as Morelli, sitting on the side steps and began slowly approaching him. When the officer got about 15 feet from him, Morelli lifted a large silver revolver and pointed it at the officer, Sferrazza said.

McGann drew his service weapon and moved away to a safer position as Morelli followed the officer's movements with his gun. Morelli then slowly lowered the gun down to his side and complied when police ordered him to the ground, Sferrazza said.

The weapon was a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum with a 6-inch barrel, loaded with six .357 Magnum hollow-point bullets, Sferrazza said.

Morelli appeared to be intoxicated, the chief added.

Photo courtesy of Enfield Police Department