A man is accused of threatening an Old Saybrook officer with a flare gun on Wednesday, police said.
Kenneth G. Grussy, was arrested Thursday after police said he threatened to shoot an officer at close range with a flare gun following a brief police pursuit in Old Saybrook.
He was charged on Wednesday with criminal possession of a firearm, weapons in a motor vehicle, operating with a suspended license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and engaging police in pursuit.
High powered flare guns that use 12 gauge "shotgun style" ammunition cartages are considered firearms in Connecticut.
Grussy had been "practicing" shooting off flares at his home and at Saybrook Point for the past several weeks, according to police.
The 63-year-old is not allowed to possess firearms because of a current protection order against him.
Several months ago, Old Saybrook officers seized Grussy's firearms after they discovered he was firing a .22 long rifle inside his home while it was occupied by family members.
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In addition to the charges already listed, Grussy was served two arrest warrants stemming from additional incidents involving him firing the flare gun.
One warrant charged Grussy with breach of peace and criminal possession of a firearm after he drove to Saybrook Point, spoke to a person at the point and then fired a flare over the Connecticut River. The incident triggered a marine distress dispatch for both the Old Saybrook Volunteer Fire Department and Police Department.
The other warrant charges Grussy with breach of peace after he made threatening comments to others about shooting Old Saybrook Police officers at close range with a flare gun, the same gun he had with him during Wednesday's encounter before he was arrested.
