Man Accused of Saying He Wanted to ‘Snipe’ and Kill Police in Hamden

Hamden, CT — A New Haven man was arrested after allegedly making threatening comments against police, saying he wanted to “kill them and snipe them,” during an incident at a Hamden gas station just hours after the Dallas shooting that left five officers dead and seven wounded.

Hamden Police responded to Go on Gas, located at 144 Arch Street, at about 2 a.m. on July 8 on the report of a suspicious person, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

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Smith said investigation revealed that Alex Lawrence entered the store and asked the clerk for a free cigar.

The clerk refused and asked Lawrence to leave the store.

Police learned that Lawrence allegedly stated, “Call the police. I want to kill them and snipe them when they arrive,” according to Smith.

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The clerk told police that he feared for his life.

Upon arrival, officers located Lawrence in the vicinity of the store and he was found to be in the possession of a small quantity of marijuana and a Hydromorphone pill, according to Smith.

Lawrence was arrested and transported to police headquarters.

The officers in Dallas were at a protest rally against the killing of two black men by police earlier in the week. At least two snipers opened fired on police.

Lawrence, 24, of 312 Davenport Avenue, New Haven, was arrested on charges of second-degree threatening, breach of peace, possession of narcotics and possession of marijuana.

Lawrence, who was detained on a $5,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court in on July 22.

Pictured: Alex Lawrence, 24, of New Haven / Hamden Police Department