Concord-Carlisle parent John Grace accused of threatening school superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter
CONCORD - A Concord-Carlisle parent accused of threatening to hurt the school district's superintendent is under house arrest with a GPS tracking bracelet.
On Monday, Concord police said they learned 53-year-old John Grace threatened to use a weapon to hurt Dr. Laurie Hunter. Police investigated the matter and took steps to ensure Hunter's safety, executing a search warrant at Grace's home and taking away all of the guns there.
Grace was arraigned Tuesday on charges of threatening to commit a crime and threats to use a weapon at a target.
According to court documents, Hunter said she had been receiving consistent phone calls and messages from Grace and has been afraid for her safety. The paperwork showed Grace has been "upset about receiving notifications from Aspen which is the Concord Public Schools student information system."
The report also said he has a "history of being upset with Concord Public Schools since 2020 when one of the schools psychiatrists filed a 51a with DCF due to concerns in the home."
Court documents also show Grace has bought 13 firearms since 1999. When his license to carry was denied in 2017, he transferred the guns to his wife's name. Police searched Grace's home and seized all of the firearms.
At a dangerousness hearing Tuesday, he was put on house arrest into the custody of his wife and ordered to wear the GPS bracelet. He was ordered to not only stay away from the superintendent, but also not to have any guns or dangerous weapons, to not drink any alcohol, and to get mental health and substance use evaluations.
Police said they are working with the school district to ensure everyone is safe.
On Wednesday afternoon there was a police cruiser outside of Hunter's office to protect her until she left.
The Concord-Carlisle High School Parent Association released a statement Wednesday night saying, "The CCHS PA is grateful that Dr. Hunter is safe. We are fully supportive of our Superintendent and extremely appreciative for all that she does for our students. Additionally, we are thankful for our Concord Law Enforcement and the efforts they take to keep us all safe."
Parents in the school district said they were shocked to hear of the alleged threats.
"That makes me anxious, but I guess, glad that they acted quickly on it - but surprised that there would be a threat like that against the superintendent. I mean I think, in general, the school committee is well-liked. Yeah, it's a pretty quiet town," said Concord-Carlisle parent Cheryl Carbeau.
