Ex-employee charged after allegedly bringing knife into former workplace in Trafford
Trafford, PA – A former worker is behind bars after police say he entered his old workplace with a large knife and made threatening remarks, causing alarm among employees at a Trafford business.
The incident occurred during the evening hours of Thursday, December 11, when 32-year-old Roneil Wright of Pitcairn reportedly showed up at a facility on Commerce Circle in Trafford Borough, despite having been terminated from the company in November. According to Trafford Police, Wright was seen carrying what employees described as a large, military-style knife and making unsettling statements about who he “needed to take care of.”
Concerned staff contacted law enforcement after one employee said Wright had been speaking about having “murder on his mind all week.” Multiple employees told police they tried to calm Wright down but described his behavior as increasingly agitated. After a tense exchange, workers were able to guide Wright out of the building without physical violence, then locked the doors behind him.
The company’s human resources department formally reported the incident to Trafford Police the following day, on Friday, December 12.
Following an investigation, Wright was arrested and charged with criminal trespass, simple assault, disorderly conduct, defiant trespass, and harassment. He was remanded to Westmoreland County Prison after failing to post $50,000 bail.
No injuries were reported, and police said the situation could have escalated further had it not been for the quick actions of employees on site. Authorities have not confirmed whether Wright had access to weapons beyond the knife recovered.
The case remains active, and Wright is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Key Points
- Roneil Wright of Pitcairn was arrested after allegedly bringing a large knife into his former workplace in Trafford on December 11.
- Employees reported threatening behavior and statements; Wright was escorted out before police were called.
- Wright is facing multiple charges and remains in custody after failing to post $50,000 bail.
