On Thursday, January 02, 2025, at approximately 6:12 p.m., Groton Police Officers were dispatched to a business on Long Hill Road, Groton, CT for the request of a well-being check. The caller, a family member, was concerned for the well-being of Jacob CLARKE. Upon the arrival of officers at the business, the family member advised officers he and CLARKE had been walking in the area of the Thames River Magnet School, 250 Brandegee Avenue, Groton, CT, around 6:00 p.m., when the school’s public address system went off, which caused CLARKE to become agitated and say to the family member he was going to grab the family member’s gun and use it to shoot the kids in the school. CLARKE also told the family member he had thoughts of harming himself. There were no children in the school at the time and the family member went their separate ways before contacting police.
Groton Police immediately began an extensive search for CLARKE utilizing a department K-9 unit, department drone, and the assistance of Groton City Police and AMTRAK police. The search eventually located a tent shelter belonging to CLARKE and his family member which was located in the woods adjacent to Kolnaski Elementary School, 500 Poquonnock Road, Groton. A search of the tent revealed a firearm which was seized as evidence by Groton Police and transported back to Groton Police Headquarters where it was tagged as evidence for use in a further investigation.
Police continued searching for CLARKE , and located him on Friday, January 03, 2025, at approximately 1:40 a.m., in the area of 470 Gold Star Highway. CLARKE was transported by Groton Ambulance to L&M Hospital, New London, CT for further examination.
School officials were briefed on this matter as it developed and it is important to note that school was not in session when the alleged statement was made by CLARKE and he was located by police prior to the start of school on Friday, January 3rd.
Later on Friday, January 03, 2025, Groton Police obtained an arrest warrant for CLARKE and he was taken into custody without incident and was transported back to Groton Police Headquarters where he was processed and later released on a court-set $50,000.00 cash or surety bond. CLARKE is scheduled to be arraigned at G. A. 10 in New London, CT on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
ARRESTED
Jacob D. CLARKE
31 years old
LKA: 470 Gold Star Highway
Groton, CT 06320
Charges:
53a-61aa, Threatening First Degree/Hazard to Terrorize
53a-181, Breach of Peace Second Degree
Citizens with information regarding incidents involving criminal activity are encouraged to contact the Groton Town Police Department at (860) 441-6712.
