Avon Man Who Allegedly Threatened School Shooting in Farmington Held on $3 Million Bond

FARMINGTON – During a discussion of school safety and security at the Monday night Board of Education meeting in Farmington, Police Chief Paul Melanson assured the board and parents that they were watching closely the case of a local man who made threats against the district and a Farmington family.

Melanson said Darnell Jerome Davis, 31, of Avon, has had new charges brought against him and the court has raised his bond to more than $3 million in hopes of keeping him behind bars.

Davis has been arrested numerous times in Farmington and surrounding towns on charges of threatening, harassment, assault and drug possession with some convictions and even more cases dismissed.

Most recently, Farmington Police charged Davis on Dec. 27 on charges that he made threats to his ex-girlfriend, a Farmington parent.

According to police, Davis threatened to shoot his ex-girlfriend and her young son and referenced committing crimes similar to those committed in Newtown and Columbine.

"He said things like he'd go out infamous, everyone would know his name and that he was a hero and was doing God's work," Farmington Police Lt. Marshall Porter said at the time.

He was charged with two counts of criminal violation of a protective order, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree threatening and second-degree harassment.

Hartford Police charged Davis with second-degree threatening, first-degree harassment and second-degree breach of peace, also on Dec. 27.

The probation office has charged Davis with two counts of violation of a protective order, a felony. One count is from Nov. 10, 2012, on which Davis was found guilty. A second is awaiting a plea.

Farmington Police have also charged Davis with two counts of violation of a protective order. He is being held on bond and is next scheduled to appear in court Jan. 31.

"I have investigated homicides where they did not put a $3 million bond," Melanson said. "He will not be released anytime soon and we have failsafe measures in place, should he come up with $3 million bond."

Melanson said he would be immediately notified if that were to happen.

"Nothing is more important to me or to the police department than our children's safety."