Fort Edward Police search for man after rifle dispute, threat against police

FORT EDWARD — Police in Fort Edward are looking for a man who threatened to shoot the town’s chief of police after a Tuesday morning incident that led to a lockout at an area school, the Post Star reports.

Fort Edward Police responded to a call of a man pointing a gun at a dog in front of a Culvert Street home.

The Post-Star reports that 41-year-old Devin Pratt, of Fort Edward, got into an argument with his neighbor over their dogs. When police arrived, they questioned the legality of Pratt’s AR-15-style rifle and confiscated it, but did not arrest him.

Officers later determined that the gun was illegal under the Safe Act, and a felony warrant was issued for Pratt’s arrest. Police later learned that Pratt became irate and irrational, fired his lawyer and threatened to shoot the police chief.

A decision was made to restrict access to a nearby school and other public buildings. Fort Edward Police Chief Justin Derway told the Post-Star that the move was “precautionary” and that no specific threats were made [against the buildings].

In a Tweet, Fort Edward School District Superintendent Daniel Ward said the school district was operating as normal, and that police said there was no danger to students.

As of Wednesday morning, police were still looking for Pratt. They believe he is driving a rented black Ford Fusion with Pennsylvania license plates. Anyone with information as the man’s whereabouts is asked to call Fort Edward Police at 518-747-6365.