High School Worker Charged In Threatening Incident: Norwalk PD

NORWALK, CT — Police said a Norwalk high school employee was arrested Tuesday after allegedly making threatening comments and carrying a rifle in the trunk of his vehicle while on school property.

According to a news release, the School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to Norwalk High School was contacted by school security at approximately 8:20 a.m. regarding a threats complaint that security and school officials had just been made aware of.

The SRO subsequently learned a school cafeteria worker had a conversation with co-worker Leslie Delaney, 69, of Hamden on Aug. 30, police said.

"During this conversation, Delaney stated that if the co-worker saw him in his army fatigues, the co-worker should leave because he will have an AK-47 and that he could come to finish everything and then 'off' himself," Lt. Terrence Blake said in a release.

Police said additional officers responded to Norwalk High School and contacted the accused, who was in the cafeteria. He was escorted outside the building and interviewed.

"During this interview he admitted to making those comments and suggested they were a joke," Blake said. "Based on additional information obtained during the investigation, Delaney was transported by ambulance to the Norwalk Hospital for an evaluation."

According to police, officers received consent to search Delaney’s vehicle, which was parked at Norwalk High School. While searching the vehicle, officers located a .22 caliber Mossberg rifle in the trunk, police said.

Police said the rifle was not loaded and there was no ammunition in the vehicle. The accused was arrested and transported to the Norwalk Police Department. He was charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds, threatening and breach of peace, police said.

Police said officers also executed a search warrant at the accused’s residence, however no weapons or ammunition were located. Based on the investigation, it was determined that there was no immediate threat to students or staff, police said.

Police also said additional School Resource Officers will be at Norwalk High School on Wednesday to provide an added sense of security.

To sign up for Norwalk breaking news alerts and more, click here.

Photo credit: Norwalk police