HARTFORD — A Department of Energy and Environmental Protection employee was arrested for allegedly making threatening comments to co-workers and possessing a banned weapon.
According to court records, 64-year-old John Hirschfeld of West Hartford was arrested late last month.
Court records state that Hirschfeld allegedly threatened several co-workers over a period of months, and made repeated references to his guns. Based on those incidents, DEEP’s EnCon Police obtained a high risk, or ‘red flag’, warrant to search his West Hartford home. EnCon and West Hartford police said they found a Colt AR-15 style rifle with pistol grip and a threaded barrel which qualifies as an illegal assault weapon under Connecticut law. They also seized several 30-round magazines he possessed illegally.
Hirschfeld has been locked up since his arrest and is now on paid administrative leave from DEEP.
