Crime & Safety

Cops: Manchester Man Had Machete Outside School Recital

Man also had knives, metal knuckles and pepper spray, according to police

Jackson police arrested a Manchester man over the weekend who they say had a machete and other weapons outside a school.

School security officers working at a recital at Jackson Memorial High School had asked a man, later identified as Lawrence P. Northrup, 53, who was acting suspiciously to leave the property.

Because of the man’s behavior, the security officers called police, who found Northrup walking along Don Conner Boulevard a short distance from the school, a statement from the department said.

As the officers spoke with Northrup, it was observed that there was some kind of holster protruding from the bottom of his pants leg, the statement said. Further investigation by Officers Craig Lindenberg and Stephen Cilento revealed that Northrup had a machete which was approximately two feet long, concealed in a sheath secured to his leg under his pants.

The officers also recovered a large folding knife, a small folding knife, a stun gun, metal knuckles and a container of pepper spray, according to police.

Northrup was then placed under arrest without incident and was transported to police headquarters for processing where he made an attempt to harm himself and had to be restrained by officers.

He was later transported to an area hospital for treatment and evaluation.

Northrup now faces multiple charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon/device and possession of a weapon in a school.

"It is unknown why Mr. Northrup was at the high school or why he had the listed items in his possession," police said in the statement. "No threats were reportedly made to anyone at the school."

A photo of Northrup was not available.


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