New details about student’s alleged threats to 'shoot up graduation,' turn airport into 'crater'

Joseph Cyr, 21, of Oxford, was arrested after two classmates went to Connecticut State Police with fears that he might bomb Sikorsky Airport or open fire on their graduation from the Stratford School for Aviation Maintenance Technicians, according to Cyr’s arrest warrant.

Marissa Alter

Feb 23, 2023, 10:52 PM

Updated 667 days ago

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Joseph Cyr, 21, of Oxford, was arrested after two classmates went to Connecticut State Police with fears that he might bomb Sikorsky Airport or open fire on their graduation from the Stratford School for Aviation Maintenance Technicians, according to Cyr’s arrest warrant.
Cyr is a student at the school, which is on Sikorsky’s campus. He’s charged with second-degree breach of peace and second-degree threatening.
His warrant states that in December, Cyr told his class, "Me and my buddy are going to shoot up graduation."
Then last Thursday, Cyr allegedly threatened violence again when a classmate asked what he'd do if he got expelled. Cyr responded, "This airport would not be an airport anymore," according to his warrant. One student told police Cyr said it would just be a “big a** crater” and, “If I go down, everyone is going down with me."
That student also said Cyr sometimes watched videos of guns and target shooting in class.
"I am fearful to go to school because I do not know if Joseph is serious about the comments that he is making," the student told police.
The other classmate echoed that and said she reported both incidents to school staff but felt "the school is not taking it seriously."
According to the warrant, police later spoke with the principal, John Ryan, who said he was aware of the comments and gave Cyr a five-day suspension.
The school is part of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System. Kerry Markey, director of communications for CTECS, sent News 12 the following statement on the case:
We are reviewing the outcome of the CT State Police investigation and will act according to CTECS' disciplinary policies. The student is currently not allowed on campus.
Police said Cyr doesn't have any registered weapons or permits. He posted $50,000 bond following his arrest Saturday.
Cyr was set to be arraigned Thursday at Bridgeport Superior Court. Instead, his attorney briefly appeared at the courthouse and had the case continued to March 29. The State’s Attorney’s Office told News 12 a mental health evaluation was ordered for Cyr.
News 12 reached out to Cyr’s attorney, Michael Fitzpatrick, who said in a statement, “Joseph has the support of many of his coworkers and classmates at the airport, several of whom were present during the alleged incident. There is another side to the story and it is a side that investigators did not care to report or bother to learn. Once all the facts and circumstances are before the Court, it will become apparent that nothing criminal occurred.”