NEW LONDON – Police arrested a man in connection with an incident at a middle school where a gun went off earlier in the year.
Police responded to Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School April 29 on reports of a weapon being found. A handgun was found in a school bathroom, and police determined that it had discharged a shot while on the school premises. Students were moved to a secure location as officials searched the building, but no other weapons were found.
Richard Velazquez, 39, of New London, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm and risk of injury to a minor. Police determined that Velazquez was responsible for that firearm before the student got a hold of it.
Detectives arrested an 11-year-old juvenile male April 30 in connection to the incident. The juvenile was charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds, carrying a pistol with out a permit, unlawful discharge of a firearm and reckless endangerment. The student was suspended.
Police said no threats were made to anyone in the school before the incident and called it an isolated incident.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the New London Police Department at 860-447-5269.
