Gunman with AR-style Pistol Tackled by Security at Aetna HQ

The suspect was quickly detained by security guards before police arrived at the Hartford, Connecticut office.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:59am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a gun magazine or ammunition clip, the metal and plastic surfaces sharply illuminated by a harsh flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a sense of danger and urgency.A jarring close-up of the evidence from a security breach at a major health insurance company's headquarters exposes the unsettling reality of workplace violence.Hartford Today

A 51-year-old man armed with an 'AR-style pistol' entered the headquarters of health insurer Aetna in Hartford, Connecticut on Thursday morning. An employee noticed the suspicious man and alerted security, who were able to detain him within three minutes without incident before police arrived and took him into custody.

Why it matters

This incident comes amid heightened concerns for the safety of healthcare executives after a recent high-profile shooting of a UnitedHealthcare CEO. It also follows Aetna's parent company CVS Health announcing layoffs of over 300 remote workers tied to the Hartford headquarters.

The details

According to police, the suspect, identified as Denrey Wadlington, entered the Aetna building carrying a backpack that contained the AR-style pistol. Security guards were able to detain Wadlington until city police officers arrived and placed him under arrest. Wadlington was charged with several crimes including criminal trespass, illegal possession of a firearm, and possession of a large capacity magazine.

  • The incident occurred around 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • Security guards detained the suspect within 3 minutes of him entering the building.

The players

Denrey Wadlington

A 51-year-old man who has a criminal history including convictions for assault, threatening, and drug possession.

Christopher Knight

The vice president of security at CVS Health, Aetna's parent company.

Aaron Boisvert

A lieutenant with the Hartford Police Department.

Brian Thompson

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare who was recently gunned down in New York City.

Luigi Mangione

An Ivy League graduate who has been charged with the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO.

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What they’re saying

“As a normal part of their investigation into calls like this one, the police will be onsite throughout the day and we wanted you to be aware.”

— Christopher Knight, Vice President of Security, CVS Health

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Denrey Wadlington to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the heightened security concerns for healthcare companies and their executives in the wake of recent high-profile attacks. It also raises questions about workplace safety and the need for robust security measures to protect employees.