Johnson
We publish the Manchester Police Department’s statement on this morning’s event at West High, plus provide additional information obtained from the department and Manchester School District. Full details will be provided on Girard at Large TV tonight at 6 on Channel 23 and tomorrow morning during the radio show.
At approximately 8:00 a.m. this morning, multiple units responded to West High School in an attempt to locate a former student who was seen walking into the school with a handgun. The Manchester Police Department coordinated efforts with the Manchester School District and West High School was immediately placed in lockdown status, to ensure the safety of all students, faculty and staff members. A school detective was initially on scene, so police presence occurred as the lockdown was being implemented.
Within minutes of the lockdown, multiple members of the Manchester Police SWAT team, Patrol Division, Community Policing Division and the Investigative Division all responded and assisted in securing the facility and coordinating the interior and exterior flow of pedestrian traffic. New Hampshire State Police arrived on scene and offered assistance. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department also arrived and assisted in the perimeter security of the school, which encompasses several city blocks.
Confiscated
Members of the SWAT team located the arrested subject; Damian Johnson, twenty-one years of age, City of Manchester approximately one and a half hours (approximately 9:25 a.m.) after the search began. He was located in a third floor classroom, but did not have a firearm in his possession. A pellet gun, which had similar qualities to a real handgun, along with a folding knife, was located in a bag nearby the suspect.
He was taken into custody without incident and transported to Manchester police headquarters. The lockdown was released at approximately 9:40 a.m. and parents were allowed access to the school, so they could check on their loved ones. Although school remained open for the day, some parents choose early dismissal for their child.
The collaborative effort amongst the various city, state and county agencies is a common occurrence in all critical incident scenarios. This is a testament to the training of not only the Manchester Police Department, but the responding agencies and the Manchester School District administrative team.
Johnson was charged with; Falsifying Physical Evidence (F), Probation Violation, Criminal Trespassing (M) and Disturbing School in Session (M). Johnson was transported to the Hillsborough County House of Correction and will be arraigned tomorrow morning.
Here ends the Manchester Police Department’s official statement. Below is additional information related to the incident.
Follow up to the story from MPD: Mr. Johnson has yet to be seen by a bail commissioner; therefore he will not go to court today. If he bails out, then he will get a court date within the next mont. If he fails to bail out, then he will appear in court tomorrow.
Johnson, a former West student has a record. Police have confirmed and provide the following:
- Johnson was arrested Florida, to include a Fugitive from Justice, but the charges were not specified.
- Johnson has been convicted on multiple charges, to include:
- 7/2011 Simple Assault
- 9/2011 Stalking
- 11/2011 Simple Assault
- 9/2012 Unarmed Robbery
Also, as a precaution, the Manchester School District placed Gossler Park Elementary School and Parkside Middle School in “secure campus mode,” which prohibits anyone from entering or leaving the building. All children were safe and in classrooms with teachers and staff, who conducted their instructional day as normal.
