FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY OCTOBER 7TH 2025

MILFORD — On Monday, October 6, 2025, at approximately 6:45 p.m., members of the Milford Police Department Family Services Unit responded to a residence on Congress Street in Milford to conduct a well-being check.

Upon arrival, officers entered the home with another resident and encountered Darren Esslinger. Without warning, the routine well-being check quickly escalated when Esslinger ran into the kitchen, stating that the officers were there to kill him.

As officers and the on-scene clinician approached the kitchen threshold, Esslinger grabbed a large kitchen knife and threatened to kill them.

At approximately 6:59 p.m., officers were able to successfully de-escalate the situation and take Esslinger into custody without injury.

“I’d like to commend the officers and clinician of our Family Services Unit for their professionalism and restraint” stated Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino. “So often we hear tragic outcomes to volatile situations such as this one.”

Darren Esslinger was charged with the following crimes and held on $10,000 bail:

ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO MURDER

ASSAULT W/DANGEROUS WEAPON

THREAT TO COMMIT CRIME

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

CONTACT JCOVINO@MILFORDPOLICE.ORG FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INQUIRES

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.