Police Seeking Criminal Complaint Against Stratton School Dad

Arlington Police formally sought a criminal complaint Tuesday against the Stratton Elementary School father who allegedly displayed his gun license during an argument with the school’s principal Wednesday, June 4.

Police charged 40-year-old Robert Goodwin, of Arlington, with a misdemeanor, making verbal threats to commit an assault, in Cambridge District Court. Police did so after completing their investigation and conferring with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, according to a release.

A probable cause hearing will be held before a clerk magistrate next week, police said.

“The Arlington Police Department takes very seriously any threats made on school grounds or against school officials,” Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan said in a statement. “This philosophy applies at all times, even when the school day is over.

“In this day and age, we cannot ignore any threat.”

According to police, Goodwin became agitated during a meeting with Stratton School Principal Michael Hanna Wednesday afternoon. During the argument, he removed a Massachusetts License to Carry Firearms from his wallet, showed it to Hanna and made references to owning firearms, police said. 

According to the release, “There were no threats made against students or any other faculty at any time. However, the totality of the circumstances, including the alleged threat to the principal, have led police to seek the criminal complaint.”

In addition to the complaint, Goodwin remains barred from school grounds (besides drop-off and pick-up), and his gun license remains suspended. Police seized Goodwin’s hunting rifle Friday.

Goodwin has said the confrontation was over a drawing by his son, which the principal thought was “very inappropriate.”

“During that discussion I compared my legally owned license to carry firearms with the picture that my son drew,” he told CBS Boston.

Goodwin said he plans to transfer his son from the school and said he never threatened anyone.

Police had additional uniformed officers at the school after the incident.

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