Boston firefighter allegedly made threats, referred to ex-LA officer Dorner’s rampage

By Martin Finucane and Travis Andersen, Globe Staff

A Boston firefighter is being investigated after allegedly making threatening statements to a fire commander, including references to Christopher Dorner, Boston police said.

The firefighter allegedly said, “I am Army trained and have weapons and ammunitions in a storage locker. Dorner will be child’s play,” police said in a statement.

Steve MacDonald, a fire department spokesman, identified the firefighter as Kenneth Veiga, a 24-year-veteran. He said Veiga has been placed on paid administrative leave.

MacDonald said he did not know whether Veiga had been interviewed by police. A working telephone number for Veiga could not immediately be located, and it was not clear if he has a lawyer.

In his alleged comments, Veiga was apparently referring to Dorner, the fired Los Angeles police officer who killed four people and wounded three others before dying of an apparently self-inflicted wound while under siege by police.

Detectives were called to Boston Fire Department headquarters Tuesday afternoon. Veiga allegedly made the threats in a phone call with a fire commander. The commander, along with a union representative, had called Veiga to check on his well-being, the statement said.

He also allegedly told the commander he was “upset with City Hall, Fire Department Headquarters, and the Firefighters Union Hall,” the statement said.

Veiga “expressed displeasure” with a department doctor and appeared concerned about not having the opportunity to consult his personal doctor before returning to work, the witnesses told police.

Veiga has been summoned to West Roxbury District Court for a clerk’s hearing on March 4.

Police said they continue to investigate the case. They asked anyone with information to call detectives at 617-343-5607.

The president of the firefighters’ union did not immediately return messages seeking comment.