Westport, Connecticut: "This did not feel like political protest. This felt like terrorism

Two men intent on disrupting a luncheon at Westport’s Temple Israel for Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were detained by staff at the door and held for police, police and temple officials said. Some luncheon attendees fled in panic.

One of the suspects was initially thought to have a gun since he had a shirt over his arm, police said.

“Shortly after the initial dispatch to responding units, the communications center started to receive additional calls reporting that a person had a gun,” Capt. Sam Arciola said.

“The first two arriving officers were able to take custody of the two individuals on the second floor meeting room where staff had physically detained them.

Nearby Coleytown Middle and Elementary Schools as well as the temple’s nursery school and the pre-school at the Unitarian Chuch were placed on lockdown for about 45 minutes because of the incident, he said.

Parents at Bedford Middle School said that school was also put on lockdown, according to an email from Adam Rosen, principal.

In an email to members, Steven Phillips, the temple’s president, said “at no time was anyone in physical danger” in the incident, which began as the temple was hosting the luncheon for Israeli military supporters.

Some attendees bolted from the room as word of the incident spread, said Westporter Lisa Wexler, who was one of those quick to leave.

Westport police tonight identified them as Daniel Fischer, 25, of 93 Osborn Ave., New Haven, and Gregory Williams, 25, of 599 Whitney Ave., New Haven. Arciola said they said they were college students protesting the IDF.

Both were charged with criminal trespass first-degree and breach of peace second-degree. They were both issued a ,500 bond and a court date was set for May 21 at Norwalk Court, police said.