Acupuncturist charged with threatening

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A New Haven acupuncturist was arrested after several people reported he was threatening children and yelling at people on the street.

Shunyu Li, 43, faces charges of second degree breach of peace and threatening following a series of unusual reports.

Officers were first called to Li's home on Lilac Street after reports came in that he was chasing children onto a porch, while wearing a bulletproof vest and a helmet. A woman reported that after the kids were on the porch, he reached into his waistband as if to grab a gun.

Li is then said to have gotten into his car. He allegedly ran is finger across his throat while staring at the woman before driving off.

Another person reported that before this incident, she spotted a similarly clad man yelling, "You point a gun at me, I'm going to shoot you," at no one in particular.

A Yale University police officer heard the radio broadcast and was familiar with Li. The officer knew Li had guns and a pistol permit.

Several hours later, a neighbor reported that Li had returned home. He explained to officers that he had been wearing the vest for a week after he says people in his neighborhood were pointing guns at him.

Inside his car, police found a Mossberg 715T .22 caliber long rifle and 1,000 rounds of .22 ammunition. There was also a loaded Norinco model 213 9X19mm handgun in the car's trunk.

When police visited his Branford office on West Main Street they discovered a Smith & Wesson handgun.

The vest, helmet, guns and ammunition were all confiscated for safe keeping. Li was not charged for weapons crimes.