Death by Cop 2021-2025
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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 :

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
