Apr. 10—Police say that on Tuesday, a man in a clergy shirt and camouflage pants walked into the Exeter School District Administration Building in St. Lawrence. He opened a case and saw three guns inside. He then told a secretary that he was going to “take an officer down and get shot,” police said.
Based on the criminal complaint, the secretary called 911 and told the operator that a guy dressed like a priest and said his name was “Jesus Christ.”
Just after 11 a.m., police were sent to the 200 Elm St. building, which is home to the district offices. Investigator Joseph Taimanglo of the Central Berks Regional Police caught Dennis S. Sallada, 53, in the main hallway and put him in jail.
The arrest document says that Sallada said he was “Jesus Christ” and “We are all going to die” after being handcuffed.
Police said the case with a.38-caliber revolver, a.22-caliber cap gun, and a pellet gun that looks like a semiautomatic pistol was found on the counter.
Officials say Sallada, who lives in the first block of Gebhart School Road in Brecknock Township, does not have a permit to carry a gun on their person.
Besides carrying a gun without a permit, he was also charged with having a gun on school grounds and seven counts of reckless endangering.
After being charged in Reading Central Court by District Judge Andrea Book, he was sent to Berks County Prison without posting $25,000 bail until his hearing.
Officials from the Exeter School District told parents on Tuesday that there were no children in the building because it was locked down as soon as it was found that the man had guns.
According to the statement, district workers moved quickly to contain the person and called the police right away. Right away, police officers from both the Central Berks and Exeter Township departments arrived.
“We are grateful for the quick response of our staff and law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of our buildings,” it said. “As always, we put the safety and health of our students, staff, and visitors first.” Rest assured that we will keep an eye on things to make sure everyone has a safe place to learn.
