Strange Stories: Sword Wielder
From Severed | True Crime Podcast by Rogue Media Network
May 1, 2026 · 45 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the police shooting of Connor Darpino, who threatened officers with swords while under the influence of Xanax.
We discuss the use of deadly (not fatal) force by Lt. Douglas Itjen on the sword-wielding Connor Darpino, in his Wayne, NJ home in February 2025. Darpino threatened to stab officers with two antique swords while he was overdrugged on Xanax. CW | TW: This episode discusses a purported mental health crisis, rules of deadly (and other use of force directives), and weapons, specifically swords and guns. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com Website: severedpodcast.com Instagram: @severed_podcast Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Sources News Clip: Man Armed with Two Swords Shot by Police in New Jersey (ABC 7 Eyewitness News) Manual: NJ Use of Force Policy ( nj.gov ) Article: “Alprazolam Tablets” (Cleveland Clinic; my.clevelandclinic.org ) Article: “Officials ID Sword-Wielding Man…
People in this episode
Hosts: Harry Chambers, Drew Hudson
Topics covered
- deadly force
- mental health crisis
- police shooting
- use of force
- antique swords
- Xanax
Keywords
- deadly force
- Connor Darpino
- Douglas Itjen
- police shooting
- Xanax
- Wayne NJ
- mental health
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Rogue Media Network, ABC 7 Eyewitness News, Cleveland Clinic, Wayne Patch News, White Light Behavioral Health, NJ.gov
Places: Wayne, NJ
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