A Milford Police Officer suffered minor injuries after being attacked by a 13-year-old who had allegedly just assaulted a West Shore Middle School teacher, according to a report just released by police.
The teen, who is a student at the school, struck a teacher in the facial area following an incident involving the student's cell phone, police said. The officer, who responded to the school at 1:19 p.m. on Feb. 22, located the student in a parking lot on Lenox Avenue.
"The juvenile became verbally abusive and took up a fighting stance with the officer, telling him he was going to take the officer’s gun and shoot the officer with it," the report states. "The juvenile then charged the officer swinging his fists, striking the officer in the left temple area. While struggling with the police officer, the juvenile attempted to remove the firearm from the officer’s duty holster but was unsuccessful."
The teen's identity was not released. He was charged with:
- Assault on a police officer
- Interfering with police
- Third-degree assault
- Second-degree threatening
- Second-degree breach of peace
The juvenile was transported to a local hospital for an emergency evaluation, police said, and he is scheduled to appear in juvenile court.
Those who know this teenager and call him a child do him no service. He is now a Juvenile Delinquent just like the many other teenagers who have been charged with all sorts of crime. As a non-adult he will be part of our justice system where he will be treated differently from adults charged with similar crimes. A special judge will determine how he is to be handled and not friends who feel he is just misunderstood (West Side Story). Last night I attended class at the Milford Citizen Police Academy, and asked if someone could just remove an officers gun from its holster just by grabbing the gun. The reply I received was that their guns are locked in, so that the gun can't easily be used against them. This our young student didn't know. He is fortunate that he was unable to succeed in carrying out his threat. Now let JUSTICE be done for all involved.
I'm very happy that the teacher and the PO have not gone public, but you can't suppress public outrage. Be thankful that he will get justice.
In the one case close to home a student's problem was somewhere in generalized anxiety and school phobia. He tried a number of medications under a psychiatrist's care. One gave him violent ideations, another left him with violent outbursts against his father. I've said I experienced it myself, where a medication that should have helped my mood left me so short-tempered I was breaking things like plates. I assure you I've had more experience than I'd like with a number of high-functioning conditions like ADD (of the hyperattentive kind -- I found Thom Hartmann's "Hunter and Farmer" explanation useful), the Asperger's end of the autism spectrum, mild depressions and dysthymia. I'm glad for you you never took a medication that made you crazy. We're not all that lucky. (It's not just psychoactives -- a physician I know socially told me about Byetta, how this was a wonder drug that treated diabetes at its roots. I must be allergic to Gila monster spit, because I felt like I had the flu and spent a day in bed.) What are the chemicals that are out of balance? Do you also believe in flogiston?
When people are attacking the teachers and police in my city, it is my business. If as some are saying the boy was undisciplined due to bad parenting, and that was tolerated for years, things need to be changed. On the other hand, if this was not predictable (such as would be the case if a new psychoactive medication had an effect almost opposite to what was desired, my best guess) there's probably not much that needs to be changed, just discontinue that medication for that boy, maybe be even more careful with it for other patients in the future. If the Milford PD is posting false stories on their blotter as Dawn S seems to suggest, that also needs to be changed.
I cannot believe I am writing this....., but I agree with Ronald.
It appears that both Lisa and Kelly know this teenager and say he is misunderstood. He is really a good kid with problems and the authorities are messing up his life. Playing the devils advocate, If I were a parent with I child in his current school I would insist that this student be removed permanently. Assaulting a teacher is reason enough, because if he was willing to attack an adult, surely he would have no qualms to assault a fellow student. Then to compound his adventure he then confronts the police officer and tells him that he is going to attack the officer and use the officers gun to kill him. Fortunately he was unable to get the gun out of the locked holster, but he did try. Lisa and Kelly say that we should butt out of this incident. I could ask why this violent kid if he was under medical treatment should have been allowed to in the school rather than in an institution. Why was he allowed to be a threat to all. What appears to be obvious is that this student's condition was kept a secret if he was under medical care. Ladies this matter is now public and the public will now take charge, like it or not.
I wouldn't be surprised if someone said that on behalf of Adam Lanza at some point in his life before that tragic day.
You have been the first to post a civil message about this incident who knows the student involved. the first was a young female student who had a foul mouth about whom others felt was fine as street language. The others just said butt out with no explanation. You have acted as a lady and civilly explained the situation to the extent that respected the feelings of that students family. I shall comply to the wishes of a woman that showed respect to those who participated in this discussion. Erin, as a gentleman, I respect you as a Lady.