By Ronald DeRosa



The City of New Britain spent over $13,000 in overtime costs in its response to Central Connecticut State University to hunt down a suspected gunman who, officials later determined, was walking on campus in a Halloween costume.



The New Britain Herald reported that New Britain alone sent 62 offers to respond to CCSU on Nov. 4 — half of the city's police force — and, as a result, had to call in even more officers to cover the departments regular duties during the lockdown.



In total, the overtime costs accrued from the three-hour lockdown — which ended in a breach of peace arrest for Newington resident David Kyem — was $13,062, the Herald reported.



The Herald also reported that New Britain is seeking a reimbursement for that cost from CCSU.



The lockdown started after students called 911 reporting that a man was dressed it an apparent military-style gear and walking on campus with what looked to be a gun and a sword. CCSU then put the campus in lockdown, confining students to their dorms and classrooms, as multiple police agencies — including West Hartford, Newington and others — attempted to hunt down the perpetrator.



Southington and Berlin were on standby in case of more dire needs, but did not incur response costs associated with the incident, officials said.



After the three-hour search, police located Kyem, 21, in James Hall. The investigation later determined that Kyem was walking from the bus stop back to his dorm room wearing a Halloween costume he had on from a weekend spent up at the University of Connecticut.



Kyem later apologized for his actions. He is due in New Britain Superior Court on Dec. 11.