Death by Cop  2021-2025

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Displaying 41 - 53 of 53

Peter M. Rose

Age :41

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 10/05/2021

Location : 29 Grant Street

City : Taunton

County : Bristol

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Taunton Police Department

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 10/05/2021, at approximately 2: 20 p.m., a domestic disturbance was reported at 29 Grant Street in Taunton, leading to a response from the Taunton Police Department. Upon arrival, a person had barricaded themselves inside the home, and it was reported that there was a firearm present. Officers attempted to communicate with the individual for several hours. Around 8 p.m., police entered the home and discovered Peter M. Rose deceased, having apparently committed suicide.

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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality

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Last Update: 12/26/2024

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SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/seekonk-burglary-suspect-who-died-in-shootout-with-police-is-identified/2577704/
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/police-justified-shooting-killing-jeffrey-groulx-seekonk/
https://www.wmur.com/article/massachusetts-police-officers-justified-in-shooting-and-killing-new-hampshire-man-officials-say/38638266
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/12/29/investigation-police-justified-in-shooting-killing-man/
https://fallriverreporter.com/officials-release-more-details-name-of-man-involved-in-fatal-route-6-shooting-b/
https://wbsm.com/seekonk-killed-shooting-police-identified/
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/11/29/seekonk-shootout-man-killed-identified/
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/break-in-suspect-killed-in-shootout-with-seekonk-police-identified-as-jeffrey-groulx/
https://bristolda.com/2021/11/seekonk-update/
https://www.nashuatelegraph.com/archive/2021/12/30/investigation-police-justified-in-shooting-killing-man/
https://www.abc6.com/police-respond-to-large-scene-in-seekonk/
https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/11/29/groulx-seekonk-break-in-police-shooting-suspect 

Name Not Disclosed

Age :

Gender :Male

Race : Unknown

Date : 10/01/2021

Location : 95 Vaughan Street

City : Middleboro

County : Plymouth

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Lakeville Police Department

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Killed by police during pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 10/01/2021, around 11: 45 p.m., a Lakeville police officer observed a motorcycle driving recklessly on Main Street, exceeding the speed limit by traveling at 68 miles per hour in a 40 miles per hour zone. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver did not comply. After a pursuit, the officer “called off the chase.”. However, shortly after, while still continuing to follow at a distance, the officer found the motorcycle had crashed into a telephone pole just over the Middleboro town line, resulting in the driver's death.

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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality

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Last Update: 12/26/2024

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SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.facebook.com/LakevilleMAFD/posts/lakeville-fire-department-responds-to-fatal-motorcycle-accidentat-approximately-/4662041197180470/

Stephanie Olimpia Gerardi

Age :38

Gender :Female

Race : White

Date : 08/14/2021

Location : 3 Alfred Road

City : Saugus

County : Essex

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Saugus Police Department

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/14/2021, around 4: 30 p.m., three officers from the Saugus Police Department responded to a call at 3 Alfred Road. in Saugus for assistance with a family member in distress. Upon entering the home, the officers were confronted by Stephanie Gerardi, who was allegedly brandishing a knife. One of the officers then shot and killed Gerardi.

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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality

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Last Update: 12/26/2024

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SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/08/16/stephanie-gerardi-police-involved-shooting-saugus/
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/stephanie-gerardi-saugus-police-shooting-alfred-road/
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/das-office-no-charges-for-officer-who-fatally-shot-saugus-woman-in-2021/2809104/
https://www.wcvb.com/article/saugus-woman-killed-in-august-14-police-shooting-identified/37311071
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/authorities-identify-knife-wielding-saugus-woman-fatally-shot-by-police/2467378/
https://thecount.com/2021/08/15/stephanie-gerardi-shot-by-cops-saugus/
https://itemlive.com/2022/08/16/saugus-officer-cleared-in-2021-fatal-shooting/
https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/08/16/saugus-police-shooting-identity-released
https://patch.com/massachusetts/melrose/saugus-mom-fatally-shot-police-friends-question-use-force
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/08/15/woman-killed-by-saugus-police-saturday-night-identified/
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/state-police-respond-to-officer-involved-shooting-in-saugus/2467058/
https://www.wpri.com/new-england/massachusetts/authorities-release-name-of-woman-shot-killed-by-police-in-mass/

Nathan Allen

Age :28

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 06/26/2021

Location : Shirley Street and Cross Street

City : Winthrop

County : Suffolk

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Winthrop Police Department

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police after vehicle crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On June 26, 2021, Nathan Allen, a 28-year-old white male, stole a box truck from a plumbing company and crashed it into a building at the intersection of Shirley Street and Cross Street in Winthrop, Massachusetts. After the crash, Allen exited the vehicle and fatally shot two Black individuals: retired Massachusetts State Police Trooper David Green and Air Force veteran Ramona Cooper.
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Investigations revealed that Allen held white supremacist beliefs, as evidenced by his writings containing racist and antisemitic rhetoric.
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The incident concluded when Winthrop Police Sergeant Nicholas Bettano confronted and fatally shot Allen, an action later deemed justified by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
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This tragic event underscores the persistent threat posed by racially motivated violence and the critical role of law enforcement in responding to such incidents.

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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 3 fatalities (including Nathan Allen)

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Last Update: 12/26/2024

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SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/da-officer-involved-shooting-death-nathan-allen-justified-after-deadly-2021-rampage-winthrop/NLQIROTWMJHZ7HGEU4OJCOWZYY/
https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2021/06/28/winthrop-shooting-investigate-motive-nathan-allen/
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/winthrop-police-officer-who-shot-gunman-to-stop-racist-rampage-will-not-face-charges/3162713/
https://www.masslive.com/news/2021/06/da-says-gunman-in-winthrop-shootings-was-motivated-by-racism-officer-who-stopped-him-called-hero.html
https://www.wcvb.com/article/man-shot-and-killed-after-rampage-in-winthrop-identified-as-nathan-allen/36849323
https://www.npr.org/2021/06/28/1010839278/nathan-allen-suspected-winthrop-shooter-racist-beliefs-police-say
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/28/winthrop-shooting-massachusetts-nathan-allen-racist-beliefs
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/massachusetts-man-who-killed-2-black-people-held-racist-beliefs-police-n1272647

Ashley Marie Forward

Age :19

Gender :Female

Race : White

Date : 06/09/2021

Location : MA-107 and Ballard Street

City :

County : Essex

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Saugus Police Department

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Bystander killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 06/09/2021, around 11 a.m., Saugus Police Department officers responded to a 7-Eleven for a report of an unarmed robbery, leading to the pursuit of William Leger. During the pursuit, Leger was allegedly driving the wrong way on Route 107 in Saugus when he collided with Ashley Marie Forward's vehicle, resulting in her death.

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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality

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Last Update: 12/26/2024

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SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/william-leger-robbery-saugus-route-107-fatal-crash-ashley-forward/
https://www.mass.gov/news/somerville-man-indicted-for-murder-in-wrong-way-crash
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/09/13/mother-of-teen-killed-in-2021-saugus-crash-that-involved-police-chase-sues-town-officers/
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/shocking-disregard-mom-teen-girl-killed-wrong-way-head-on-crash-suing-north-shore-town/WAA2ZA73S5F53IIGDYPNCXUKNE/
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/19-year-old-killed-head-on-crash-after-robbery-suspect-leads-police-chase/HTASUWIZEFARXHJBMTON4MTNDU/
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/09/16/man-indicted-for-wrong-way-saugus-crash-that-killed-19-year-old-nursing-student/
https://www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/108802
https://www.wcvb.com/article/june-2021-deadly-saugus-crash-indictment/37613441
https://sauguspd.com/saugus-police-arrest-suspect-following-alleged-robbery-and-fatal-head-on-crash/
https://itemlive.com/2021/06/09/one-fatality-in-head-on-crash-on-route-107-in-saugus/
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bostonherald/name/ashley-forward-obituary?id=14772113
https://www.wcvb.com/article/man-arraigned-in-violent-wrong-way-crash-that-killed-woman-19/36688675
https://fallriverreporter.com/teenager-killed-another-injured-in-crash-after-alleged-store-robber-fled-scene-from-police/
https://patch.com/massachusetts/melrose/serious-head-crash-halting-traffic-saugus

Troy Love

Age :14

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 06/04/2021

Location : Green Hill Park Pond

City : Worcester

County : Worcester

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Worcester Police Department

Officer(s) : Enmanuel Familia

Cause of Death : Drowned

Event : Drowned during pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 06/04/2021, Worcester Police pursued a 14-year-old boy through Green Hill Park. The chase ended when the boy entered the pond and began struggling in the water. Officer Enmanuel Familia jumped in to rescue him, but both drowned. Divers later recovered their bodies from the pond. The incident led to mourning across the city, with calls for better emergency water rescue equipment and training for officers.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wcvb.com/article/worcester-police-officer-drowns-while-trying-to-save-14-year-old-boy/36687118
https://www.masslive.com/worcester/2021/06/worcester-police-officer-14-year-old-boy-drown-in-green-hill-pond.html
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/04/metro/worcester-police-officer-drowns-while-trying-save-teen-boy/

Andrew Homen

Age :34

Gender :Male

Race : Black

Date : 06/04/2021

Location : 2 McCusker Drive

City : Braintree

County : Norfolk

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Braintree Police Department

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during disturbance call

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 06/04/2021, Braintree Police Department officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at an apartment complex located at 2 McCusker Dr in Braintree. Andrew Homen fled into the adjacent woods after the call. After a 45-minute search, a police K-9 unit located Homen. During the encounter, Homen killed the police dog and wounded an officer before being shot and killed by the police.

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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality (Homen), 1 K-9 fatality, 1 officer injury

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Last Update: 12/26/2024

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SOURCE LINKS :

1. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/braintree-police-justified-in-shooting-death-of-armed-man-da-says/2579750/
2. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/braintree-police-justified-shooting-death-armed-man-k9-kitt/
3. https://www.abc6.com/da-police-justified-in-shooting-death-of-armed-man-who-shot-officer-dog/
4. https://959watd.com/blog/2021/12/da-rules-braintree-officers-justified-in-k-9-kitt-shooting/
5. https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/da-use-deadly-force-by-police-justified-braintree-shooting/5K4MLFGUQ5EDLEHYNCFBRUW3NI/

Zachary Richardson

Age :24

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 05/09/2021

Location : 90 S Main Street

City : Leicester

County : Worcester

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Leicester Police Department

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police after ramming police vehicle

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 05/09/2021, at around 6: 30 a.m., Zachary Richardson was shot and killed by officers from the Leicester Police Department after he allegedly repeatedly rammed his vehicle into the Leicester Police Station.

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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality

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Last Update: 12/26/2024

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SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/william-leger-robbery-saugus-route-107-fatal-crash-ashley-forward/
https://www.mass.gov/news/somerville-man-indicted-for-murder-in-wrong-way-crash
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/09/13/mother-of-teen-killed-in-2021-saugus-crash-that-involved-police-chase-sues-town-officers/
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/shocking-disregard-mom-teen-girl-killed-wrong-way-head-on-crash-suing-north-shore-town/WAA2ZA73S5F53IIGDYPNCXUKNE/
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/19-year-old-killed-head-on-crash-after-robbery-suspect-leads-police-chase/HTASUWIZEFARXHJBMTON4MTNDU/
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/09/16/man-indicted-for-wrong-way-saugus-crash-that-killed-19-year-old-nursing-student/
https://www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/108802
https://www.wcvb.com/article/june-2021-deadly-saugus-crash-indictment/37613441

Phet Gouvonvong

Age :31

Gender :Male

Race : Asian

Date : 04/21/2021

Location : 265 Grafton St

City : Worcester

County : Worcester

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Worcester Police Department

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during domestic violence call

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 04/21/2021, around 12: 05 a.m., Worcester Police Department officers encountered Phet Gouvonvong at 265 Grafton St in Worcester. Gouvonvong was wearing body armor, appeared to be armed with what looked like an assault rifle, and had an explosive device with wires attached, along with carrying a backpack. During the encounter, Gouvonvong reportedly became agitated and made a move toward the police. Police shot and killed him.
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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality

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SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/william-leger-robbery-saugus-route-107-fatal-crash-ashley-forward/
https://www.mass.gov/news/somerville-man-indicted-for-murder-in-wrong-way-crash
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/09/13/mother-of-teen-killed-in-2021-saugus-crash-that-involved-police-chase-sues-town-officers/
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/shocking-disregard-mom-teen-girl-killed-wrong-way-head-on-crash-suing-north-shore-town/WAA2ZA73S5F53IIGDYPNCXUKNE/
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/19-year-old-killed-head-on-crash-after-robbery-suspect-leads-police-chase/HTASUWIZEFARXHJBMTON4MTNDU/
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/09/16/man-indicted-for-wrong-way-saugus-crash-that-killed-19-year-old-nursing-student/
https://www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/108802
https://www.wcvb.com/article/june-2021-deadly-saugus-crash-indictment/37613441
https://sauguspd.com/saugus-police-arrest-suspect-following-alleged-robbery-and-fatal-head-on-crash/
https://itemlive.com/2021/06/09/one-fatality-in-head-on-crash-on-route-107-in-saugus/
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bostonherald/name/ashley-forward-obituary?id=14772113
https://www.wcvb.com/article/man-arraigned-in-violent-wrong-way-crash-that-killed-woman-19/36688675
https://fallriverreporter.com/teenager-killed-another-injured-in-crash-after-alleged-store-robber-fled-scene-from-police/
https://patch.com/massachusetts/melrose/serious-head-crash-halting-traffic-saugus

Jeffrey Lilja

Age :41

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 04/15/2021

Location : CadishAvenue and M Street

City : Hull

County : Plymouth

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Hull Police Department

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Drowned

Event : Drowned during police pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 04/15/2021, Jeffrey Lilja attempted to evade Hull Police Department officers by jumping into the frigid waters of Hull Bay at the intersection of CadishAvenue and M Street in Hull. His body was recovered by State Police divers three days later.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://959watd.com/blog/2021/04/crews-find-body-of-hull-man-who-fled-into-bay/
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/18/metro/body-man-who-jumped-hull-bay-while-evading-police-has-been-recovered/
https://www.downingchapel.com/obituary/Jeffrey-Lilja
https://whdh.com/news/body-of-man-who-ran-from-police-found-in-hull-bay/
https://patch.com/massachusetts/hull/man-who-fled-police-jumped-bay-found-dead
https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2021/04/18/hull-man-found-dead-after-fleeing-into-hull-bay-during-police-chase/7268418002/

Eric Michael Leach

Age :36

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 03/26/2021

Location : 30 Liberty St.

City : Quincy

County : Norfolk

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Massachusetts State Police

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during store robbery

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 03/26/2021, around 6: 10 a.m., Massachusetts State Police responded to a robbery at a 7-Eleven located at 30 Liberty St. in Quincy. Surveillance footage showed a man, identified as Eric Michael Leach, looking through the store's windows before entering six minutes later, allegedly robbing the store with a handgun and escaping with approximately $330. A customer provided a description of Leach to the police. Officers began a search and cornered Leach against a fence in a residential area. Leach reportedly did not comply with police commands, and an attempt to use a Taser was unsuccessful. A foot chase ensued, during which Leach entered a police cruiser, started it, and drove towards officers, who dodged out of the way. He fled, hitting several police vehicles during the pursuit. The chase ended at Burgin Parkway and Route 3 where Leach stopped the cruiser, which was then surrounded by police. After about an hour, Leach managed to move the damaged cruiser but was stopped by stop sticks. During negotiations, Leach was seen with a police patrol rifle and began exiting the vehicle with it, leading to a Massachusetts State Police trooper shooting and killing him.

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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality

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Last Update: 12/26/2024

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SOURCE LINKS :

1. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/eric-leach-armed-robbery-suspect-rockland-police-cruiser-norfolk-district-attorney/
2. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/eric-leach-rockland-stolen-cruiser-police-car-quincy-crash-burgin-parkway-route-3/
3. https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/03/26/quincy-police-shooting-chase-stolen-cruiser
4. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/police-shooting-of-robber-who-led-chase-from-rockland-to-quincy-ruled-justified/2471576/
5. https://www.wcvb.com/article/norfolk-county-da-rules-police-shooting-of-suspect-in-quincy-was-justified/37351816

Sandra Birchmore

Age :23

Gender :Female

Race : White

Date : 02/01/2021

Location : Washington Street

City : Canton

County : Norfolk

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Stoughton Police Department

Officer(s) : Matthew Farwell

Cause of Death : Unknown

Event : Murdered by police officer and staged as suicide

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 02/01/2021, 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore was found dead in her apartment on Washington Street in Canton. Investigators initially ruled her death a suicide, but federal prosecutors later determined she was strangled by former Stoughton Police Department officer Matthew Farwell, who then staged the scene to look like a suicide. Birchmore had been sexually exploited by Farwell since she was a teenager and was pregnant with his child at the time of her death. Farwell has been federally indicted for her murder and obstruction of justice and remains in custody awaiting trial.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-massachusetts-police-officer-arrested-connection-murder-young-woman
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-stoughton-police-officer-indicted-allegedly-causing-death-his-victims-unborn-baby
https://www.wcvb.com/article/matthew-farwell-stoughton-massachusetts-police-sandra-birchmore-death/69056509

Michael Conlon

Age :28

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 01/05/2021

Location : 16 Lincoln Street

City : Newton Highlands

County : Middlesex

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Newton Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during response to armed individual

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On January 5, 2021, at approximately 1:43 p.m., Newton Police responded to a 911 call from the owner of "Indulge!", a candy store located at 16 Lincoln Street, reporting a man with a knife inside the store. The individual, identified as 28-year-old Michael Conlon, resided in an apartment above the store. Upon police arrival, Conlon fled to the third floor of the building. Officers attempted to negotiate with him and employed less-lethal methods, including a beanbag shotgun and a Taser, in efforts to subdue him. Despite these attempts, Conlon reportedly advanced towards officers with the knife. Two Newton Police officers opened fire, striking Conlon. He was transported to Newton-Wellesley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/da-releases-report-on-deadly-2021-police-shooting-in-newton/2723488/
https://www.middlesexda.com/press-releases/news/investigation-fatal-officer-involved-shooting-newton-complete
https://patch.com/massachusetts/newton/family-sues-over-fatal-newton-police-shooting