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The incident occurred in New London County around 7:14 a.m., Sunday, April 28, in Gorton.
According to Capt. Gregory McCarthy of the Groton Police officers responded to the Baymont Inn for a report of a man who was threatening to"kill everyone" at the hotel after becoming angry that his room was not ready.
McCarthy said arriving officers spotted the Queens man, identified as Jonathan Jean-Pierre, walking in front of the hotel with a knife in his hand.
Officers gave multiple commands for Jean-Pierre to drop the knife, but he refused, continuing to walk towards Route 12. After continuing to refuse officers'’ commands, an officer deployed his assigned taser, striking and immediately incapacitating him, McCarthy said.
Police removed a folding multi-tool/knife from Jean-Pierre when he was taken into custody.
During an investigation, it was determined that Jean-Pierre became angry about being unable to access a room that the hotel staff had not yet prepared for occupancy.
McCarthy said Jean-Pierre then began yelling profanities at hotel staff, who were within sight and sound of numerous youth marching band members eating breakfast nearby. One of the parents associated with the group approached Jean-Pierre and asked him to quiet down.
Jean-Pierre pulled out the knife and held it in the victim's throat, making comments indicating his intent to murder the victim, his wife, and all the children, police said.
Hotel staff were able to intervene and get him outside before the arrival of the police.
McCarthy said that none of the victims involved in this incident were injured.
Jean-Pierre was arrested and charged with:
- Violation of conditions of release
- Carrying dangerous weapon
- Reckless endangerment
- Risk of injury to minor, two counts
- Threatening, three counts
- Breach of peace, three counts
He is being held on a $275,000 bond.
This case remains under investigation.
The Groton Police Department asks anyone with information regarding this incident or other criminal activity to call 860-441-6712.
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