Judge Compares Norwalk Mass Shooting Threat Case To Sandy Hook

STAMFORD, CT — The 22-year-old Norwalk man who police said showed an interest in committing a mass shooting will remain behind bars after a Superior Court judge drew parallels between the suspect and Sandy Hook killer Adam Lanza.

Brandon Wagshol appeared before Judge Richard Comerford in Stamford court on Thursday in connection with an assault case where Wagshol is accused of attacking his father with a lead pipe during an argument over playing video games too loudly.

The Saturday arrest was Wagshol's second in six months, following his arrest last August on charges of illegal possession of high capacity [gun] magazines.

"His behavior is escalating," said Assistant State’s Attorney Daniel Cummings, adding that the state is considering upgrading the assault charge from second degree to first degree. "The house was in complete disarray with blood everywhere [after the incident]."

Wagshol's father, Abraham, suffered a large laceration to his head during the attack, police said.

"He could have killed his father," Comerford said.

Wagshol's attorney, Darnell Crosland, tried to convince Comerford to lower the $500,000 bond in an effort to get Wagshol out of custody so he could continue with mental health treatment. Crosland said that Wagshol has struggled with mental health issues since he was a child, for which he is currently receiving medicinal injections.

"His father wants to give him love and support," Crosland said.

"I'm sure he's a loving father, so was Adam Lanza's mother, she was loving, too," Comerford said. Lanza killed his mother before embarking on his shooting rampage at the elementary school. "Think about that."

Comerford upheld the bond, and upheld a protective order against Wagshol, but he said the two could communicate about medical or psychiatric matters.