Video report by Beau Berman, Fox CT
Text by David Owens, The Hartford Courant
BRIDGEPORT — A 63-year-old man dressed in military-style clothing and carrying in his waistband what appeared to be a gun was charged Wednesday with a host of charges after police say he tried to enter Bridgeport’s Waltersville School.
The man, identified as John Teso, was held with bail set at $50,000 and charged with carrying a dangerous weapon, impersonating a police officer, possession of a weapon on school grounds and breach of peace.
Police said Teso did not make any threats or brandish the weapon, which turned out to be a BB gun, during the incident.
Teso was at the school to pick up a family member who attends the school, police said. A parent saw Teso, was concerned and alerted school staff. Principal Carmen Ortiz then told a security guard, who confronted Teso on Halllett Street in front of the school and told him he could not have a weapon on school grounds. Police said Teso told the guard that he was a police officer.
He then presented paperwork that showed he was a police officer, although police said he is not. He then put the gun in his vehicle.
In the meantime, school staff cleared children from the area and called police. Officers arrived quickly, questioned Teso and took him into custody.