CT elementary school custodian helps diffuse situation involving ‘distraught’ individual with gun

A custodian helped diffuse a situation involving a man armed with a gun who was experiencing some kind of a crisis outside an elementary school in New Haven Wednesday.

The custodian was arriving at Lincoln Bassett School in the morning hours while classes were already in session when he noticed the armed individual who appeared to be “distraught,” officials with the New Haven Public School system wrote in a message to parents and guardians Wednesday.

The custodian approached the individual and was successful in “de-escalating the situation,” according to the school system.

Members of the New Haven Police Department were notified and responded to take custody of the armed man.

“Students were indoors and did not witness the event,” school officials told parents and guardians.

“They were safe at all times. We are grateful for the courageous intervention of the staff member.”