Protective Order Issued Against Suspect In Mass Shooting Threat

NORWALK, CT — As his son, Brandon Wagshol, sat in handcuffs a few feet away on Monday, Abraham Wagshol told a superior court judge that he did not believe the younger Wagshol meant to harm him when Brandon attacked his father during an altercation over the weekend.

"I don't think it was intentional," Abraham Wagshol told Judge William Wenzel in court, though Norwalk police had said he suffered a large laceration to the head, likely from being struck by a pipe. A black eye and small cut were visible in court. "I don't feel a threat from him."

Brandon Wagshol was arrested on charges of second-degree assault, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief in connection with the early Saturday morning altercation with his father in the apartment they share on Bedford Avenue.

He was held in lieu of $500,000 bond and was arraigned in court on Monday, but his bond was kept at that amount and he remains in custody.

Additionally, a full-no contact protective order was placed on him, prohibiting Brandon from having any contact with his father.

Brandon's attorney, Darnell Crosland, argued that the altercation resulted from adverse side effects of a monthly shot of medication that Brandon takes to "stabilize his mental issues."

"We have a full team of professionals working with him, and he has been in total compliance with the terms of his release," Crosland said.

Brandon Wagshol was arrested last August and charged with four counts of illegal possession of large capacity [gun] magazines, and was free on bond in connection with that case when Saturday's incident occurred.

Norwalk police accused him of showing interest in committing a mass shooting, and confiscated a small arsenal of weapons they said belonged to his father.

While free on bond, Wagshol has been permitted to attend services at Beth Israel Chabad of Westport/Norwalk on King Street in Norwalk, but he was temporarily banned from Central Connecticut State University where he had been taking classes.

Saturday morning's incident occurred after the Wagshols argued over Brandon loudly playing video games in the apartment, which woke up his father.

Crosland had hoped to get Wagshol's bond reduced, because Wagshol is not working and his father is retired and on a fixed income.

"His father is willing to give him love and support, which is what he needs," Crosland said outside of court. "They can't afford a $500,000 bond, and keeping it that high doesn't do anything for him because he will not receive the help he needs."

The assault case was transferred to Stamford Superior Court, where the case from last summer is being adjudicated, and was continued to Feb. 6. His next scheduled appearance for the illegal magazines case is Feb. 20.

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