Man Accused Of Throwing Molotov Cocktail, Knives At Police During Standoff In Norwalk: PD

NORWALK, CT — A man accused of throwing knives and a Molotov cocktail at police during a nearly four-hour standoff at a Norwalk home was arrested Monday, according to the Norwalk Police Department.

In a news release, Police Lt. Tomasz Podgorski said the department received a report of a psychiatric complaint just before 9 a.m. at a Dock Road home.

According to Podgorski, a caller outside the home reported David Erik Wenger, 20, of Norwalk, was inside and threatening to harm himself.

Podgorski said the caller also reported that Wenger "had previously made statements about attempting 'suicide by cop' and was extremely agitated."

Officers were called to the area and confirmed no one else was inside the home, Podgorski said.

When officers arrived, they found Wenger on the porch armed with a saw and knife and bleeding from his hand, according to Podgorski.

As police tried to establish communication, Wenger threatened to kill officers if they entered the home and repeatedly moved in and out of the house, yelling and making threats at the officers, according to Podgorski.

As officers tried to de-escalate the situation, Wenger exited the home and pointed and threw what was later determined to be an airsoft pistol at officers, Podgorski said.

"Due to Wenger's behavior and prior statements, crisis negotiators were requested to respond," Podgorski said in a news release. "Negotiators made repeated efforts to communicate with Wenger and encourage a peaceful surrender."

According to Podgorski, Wenger constructed a Molotov cocktail inside the home during the incident, lit it and threw it at officers.

The device landed in the driveway of a neighbor's home, Podgorski said.

Wenger also opened the door on multiple occasions and threw knives in the direction of officers, according to Podgorski.

"As the situation continued, Wenger was observed creating additional improvised weapons, including taping a knife to a pole to form a makeshift spear," Podgorski said.

Crisis negotiators ultimately succeeded in persuading Wenger to exit the home, and he was arrested around 12:45 p.m. without further incident, according to Podgorski.

No officers were injured during the incident, Podgorski said.

Wenger was charged with two counts of criminal attempt at assault on a police officer, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree threatening.

His bond was set at $250,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court next month, according to Podgorski.

In a statement Monday, Police Chief James Walsh commended the responding officers and negotiators for their professionalism and restraint during the incident.

"I would like to recognize and thank the officers, supervisors and command staff who responded to the harrowing incident this morning involving an individual in crisis," Walsh said in a statement. "All officers demonstrated great restraint in communicating and de-escalating a situation where they were faced with an individual throwing a Molotov cocktail, a knife and pointing a facsimile firearm at officers upon their arrival. The teamwork and professionalism shown by the officers today are a testament to their training in de-escalation, crisis intervention and critical decision-making. This situation exemplifies the incredible work done by the men and women of the Norwalk Police Department with the ongoing goal of public safety."