UPDATE: Southington Man in Custody Following Threat that Prompted 'Secure Status' for Schools

Updated: 3:45 p.m., Oct. 20:

Southington Police say they have a town man in custody and seized seven guns as a result of an argument and threats made to a public schools staffer that resulted in the activation of a “secure status” for four schools Tuesday morning.

It was about 8:15 a.m. Tuesday when Southington police department received a report that a Southington High School staff member received a threat from someone outside of the school.

As a precaution Southington High School, DePaolo Middle School, Flanders Elementary School and Hatton Elementary School were placed in secure school status. Secure schools mean normal activity inside the school with no one being allowed to enter or exit the school.

The incident was investigated and it was determined at approximately 0940 hours that there was no threat to any Southington Schools. The secure school status was lifted at that time.

The police investigation revealed that Gregory R. Daly, 42, of Southington, was involved in a dispute with a Southington High School staff member, according to police. As a result of the argument, Daly made personal threats against the staff member, police said in a statement. Daly was located at his home in Southington and subsequently taken into custody, police said.

Daly was charged with first-degree threatening, second-degree harassment and breach of peace. He is being held on a $500,000 bond for a court appearance on Wednesday at state Superior Court in Bristol.

As a result of the investigation, seven firearms were seized from Daly’s home and are now in police custody, police also said.

Original story: 9 a.m. Oct. 20

Several Southington schools reportedly are in “secure schools” mode following an outside threat Tuesday morning.

School officials told WFSB that Southington High School, DePaolo Middle School, Hatton Elementary School and Flanders Elementary School are in secure schools status until further notice.

A staff member was threatened by someone from outside of the schools, officials said.

No one is being allowed to enter the buildings although officials said there is no threat inside any of the schools. All outside activities are temporarily suspended, according to the WFSB report that can be found here.

Check back for updates.