Newtown Police: Norwalk Cop Threatens Suicide at Home

By Paul Singley, Davis Dunavin, Aaron Boyd and Gary Jeanfaivre

Update 10:32 p.m.:

Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik issued this statement today about the incident in Newtown:

"It was an off duty incident occurring in Newtown. My comment would be that we are very thankful that the incident came to a safe conclusion and appreciate the assistance of The Newtown Police Department and members of the Connecticut State Police.

"We are fortunate that our officers who responded were able to quickly intervene and assist. The officer will be receiving all the assistance necessary and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as they work through some very difficult times ahead."

Update 4:00 p.m.:

The Newtown Police Department has issued this statement:

On 10/07/2013 [Monday] at approximately 1016 hours [10:16 a.m.] the Norwalk PD contacted Newtown Police and advised them that one of their off duty Officers had threatened to harm himself. That this individual was on his way to his wife’s home on Jo Mar Road, Newtown ,CT.

Newtown Officers were dispatched to Jo Mar where the subjects vehicle was located unoccupied. Officers took positions around the perimeter of the home and secured the area. The subject was later spotted inside the home. Attempts to contact the subject were not successful.

Newtown Officers were able to confirm that no one else was at home at the residence at this time.Newtown Schools were contacted and they went into a lock/in (closed).

This was a precautionary measure while police searched the area. No threats were made toward the schools and the schools were never in danger.
The Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit and the Norwalk Police Negotiation Team were contacted for assistance and responded. Norwalk Police negotiators were able to make contact with the subject who later surrendered without further incident.

He was transported to Danbury Hospital for evaluation. Two weapons, a hand gun and a shot gun were seized at the scene and turned over to Norwalk PD. No threats or shows of any weapons were made at any time toward police. 
The CSP K9 unit assisted with a search of the home for other weapons. None were found. All units cleared the scene at approximately 1345.

UPDATED at 2:30 p.m.

All police have left the scene on Jo Mar Drive and the road has reopened. There are no indications, through caution tape or other visible indicators, of what address police responded to.

UPDATED at 12:20 p.m.

Newtown police requested assistance from a state police tactical team, but local police are handling the case, according to state police.

NBC Connecticut is reporting police responded to a report of a "barricaded man." Police were unable to confirm or deny this report.

UPDATED at 12:04 p.m.

According to a message from Newtown Public Schools, the lock-in was put in place this morning at Newtown Middle School and Newtown High School due to an incident involving a parent.

In a message to parents, Interim Superintendent John Reed wrote, "This is precautionary for those two schools based upon the advice of the Chief of Police related to a concern involving a specific parent." 

UPDATED at 11:45 a.m.
Police say the threat "no longer exists" and the lock-in at Newtown High School is over, according to Newtown High School's Twitter page.

UPDATED at 11:40 a.m. 

Officers from Norwalk have just arrived on scene. According to reports coming through over the police scanner, police have one individual in custody and there may be others who they are looking for. Officers here are wearing full tactical gear and it appears a SWAT team is forming in the area. Paramedics have just arrived on scene. At least two dozen police officers are at the location.

Original story  

More than 10 police vehicles have converged on a Sandy Hook street for what appears to be a manhunt.

State police and Newtown police have blocked off Jo Mar Drive, off Riverside Road.

Newtown Schools have been put in lock-in as a precaution, according to one parent whose children attend Hawley and Newtown Middle.

Editor's note: This article originally was published by Newtown Patch.