Search fatalities

On 11/09/2021, Boston Police officers were conducting a traffic stop near 14 Circuit Street in the Roxbury section of Boston. Dashaun Wright, 23, exited the vehicle and ran. Police chased him on foot. During the pursuit, police said Wright had a gun and fired toward officers. Officers opened fire and shot Wright. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office investigated the shooting and later released body camera and surveillance footage as part of its review.

https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/25-investigates-what-we-know-about-man-accused-shooting-3-bpd-officers/EHKQQCAUWJG4XPAX42BXUAEVCA/ https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/he-wasnt-monster-they-made-him-out-be-mother-man-who-shot-three-officers-speaks-out/K7IEK6E5DRGULBRUCRPRD5FUCM/ —
https://www.wcvb.com/article/third-boston-police-officer-released-from-hospital-after-dorchester-standoff-ends-in-shooting/38225235
https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2021-11-11/wu-calls-tuesdays-police-shooting-an-example-of-large-systemic-failure

On 11/07/2021, around 8 p.m., a trooper from the Massachusetts State Police observed a 2020 Nissan Altima, allegedly driven by 22-year-old Nicholas Snyder, speeding past a work detail on US-1 in Sharon. The trooper initiated a pursuit, which was subsequently called off. However, the Nissan continued at high speed and collided with the rear of a Subaru Forester driven by Kevin Joseph Earley at the intersection of US-1 and Old Post Road. After the initial collision, the Nissan struck a Dodge Durango, injuring its driver. Kevin Earley was killed in the crash, while Snyder was injured and later arraigned on charges including motor vehicle homicide.

https://accidentdatacenter.com/us/massachusetts/boston-ma/sharon/21/11/07/kevin-earley-21-killed-one-injured-crash-intersection-route-1-and-old-post-road-sharon-massachusetts
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/man-indicted-on-murder-charge-after-deadly-sharon-crash/2689423/
https://www.wcvb.com/article/dangerous-erratic-driver-slams-car-killing-driver/38189512

On 11/06/2021, officers from the Boston Police Department responded to a domestic violence call at 27 Ingleside St in Dorchester. During the response, Michael A. Quarrles allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with several officers, leading to him being shot and killed by police.

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/boston-police-officer-dorchester-stabbing-suspect-shot-killed-domestic-violence-call-michael-quarrles/
https://www.wcvb.com/article/boston-police-officer-stabbed-ingleside-street-dorchester-november-6-2021/38179907
https://www.dotnews.com/2022/da-clearing-backlog-police-involved-shootings-cases
https://www.masslive.com/news/2021/11/boston-police-officer-stabbed-in-neck-responding-to-domestic-violence-call-suspect-fatally-shot.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/boston-police-officer-stabbed-neck-responding-domestic-violence-call-suspect-n1283386
https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/11/06/boston-police-officer-stabbed-suspect-shot-and-killed-in-dorchester/
https://patch.com/massachusetts/boston/boston-police-officer-stabbed-domestic-call-suspect-shot-dead
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/suspect-dead-boston-police-officer-injured-in-dorchester-stabbing-shooting/2532431/
https://abcnews.go.com/US/boston-police-officer-stabbed-neck-responding-domestic-violence/story?id=81019064
https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/11/06/boston-police-officer-stabbed-dorchester-michael-quarrles
 

On 10/29/2021, an off-duty Massachusetts State Police trooper drove a vehicle on Interstate 93 in Boston while intoxicated. The trooper struck a highway median and came to a stop in the roadway. Christopher Zike, who was riding a motorcycle, then crashed into the trooper’s disabled vehicle and was killed. Prosecutors charged the trooper with motor vehicle homicide and operating under the influence. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to approximately two and a half years in prison.

https://newyorkfolk.com/news/ex-mass-state-trooper-arraigned-in-i-93-crash-that-killed-motorcyclist/
https://www.wcvb.com/article/ex-state-trooper-indicted-in-oui-crash-that-killed-motorcyclist/41527075
https://www.yahoo.com/news/ex-mass-state-police-trooper-211356500.html

On 10/07/2021, around 5: 45 p.m., Brockton Police Department officers responded to reports of a man with a gun at 62 Taber Avenue. in Brockton. Upon arrival, gunshots were exchanged, and a Brockton police officer was reportedly struck several times. The gunman, Kevin M. Serpa, then retreated into the home, where he locked himself for several hours while police attempted negotiations. At approximately 9: 30 p.m., Serpa was outside the home when he shot and killed himself.

https://www.abc6.com/two-dead-police-officer-injured-in-brockton-shooting/
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/10/08/a-brockton-man-shot-another-an-officer-and-then-himself-police-say-heres-what-we-know/
https://959watd.com/blog/2021/10/police-officer-shot-two-people-dead-after-hours-long-standoff-in-brockton/

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.

https://fallriverreporter.com/da-41-year-old-taunton-man-shoots-self-after-domestic-incident-standoff/

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.

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

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.

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/
 

On 07/26/2021, Barnstable police responded to reports of gunfire on Captain Baker Road in Marstons Mills involving a man firing a weapon from a residence. Officers established a perimeter and called tactical units. During the confrontation gunfire occurred and police opened fire, killing the man. Authorities later recovered weapons inside the residence. Public reporting centered on the law enforcement response and charges related to the initial incident, with little publicly released personal information about the deceased individual.

https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2021/07/26/barnstable-police-shooting-marstons-mills/
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/police-respond-armed-standoff-marstons-mills/
https://www.wcvb.com/article/police-shooting-barnstable-investigation/

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.

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
 

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.

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

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.

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/

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.

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

On 05/09/2021 at about 6:13 a.m., a dispatcher watching a security camera feed at the Leicester Police Department saw an SUV repeatedly strike the station’s front entrance. Leicester police responded to the station. Reporting and the Worcester County District Attorney said Zachary Richardson got out of the SUV and aimed what appeared to be a rifle at officers. Officers opened fire and shot Richardson. Officers provided medical aid until EMS arrived. EMS transported Richardson to Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, where he was pronounced dead. Massachusetts State Police investigated under the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.

https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/05/09/police-fatal-shooting-leicester-police
https://www.wcvb.com/article/man-who-drove-into-leicester-police-station-shooting-identified/36383759
https://apnews.com/article/ma-state-wire-police-shootings-eee4e5105c94cac8f81f095f9746d5e8
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/police-kill-man-accused-of-ramming-into-leicester-station/2375937/
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/leicester-police-department-shooting-zachary-richardson/
 

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.

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
 

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.

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/
 

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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