Volunteer Firefighter Charged With Threatening Another Firefighter With Knife: Police

A volunteer firefighter accused of threatening another firefighter with a knife at a Manchester station is under suspension after police arrested him Wednesday.

Eighth District Utilities Fire Department volunteer firefighter Dean Gates, 21, of Manchester, is facing second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace charges.

Chief Don Moore, of the Eighth District Utilities Fire Department in Manchester, said Gates remains suspended pending the outcome of the case.

He is accused of putting an 8-inch kitchen knife to another firefighter's throat because he was annoyed when the man reportedly made fun of him after he sneezed, according to police. The reported incident happened in a break room at an Eighth Utilities District fire station on May 27, police said. The firefighter who Gates is accused of threatening at knife-point was not injured in the altercation, according to police.

Moore said the incident violated the department's Workplace Violence Policy.

Police arrested Gates on Wednesday and he is due in court on Aug. 25.

Contact Us