By Tiffany Williams –
SPENCER, MASS. — A violent police investigation turned deadly Tuesday night when a suspect was killed and a Massachusetts police officer was shot multiple times during a SWAT operation at a busy shopping plaza.
Authorities said the chaos erupted during an investigation in Spencer, where a suspect ultimately died after an exchange of gunfire with police. The injured officer, a Millbury police officer and member of the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT team, was shot at approximately 7:40 p.m., according to Millbury Police Chief brian s. lewos.
The officer was rushed to the hospital and is now in “stable condition,” police confirmed. NewsTalk New England sources said the injuries are serious but not life-threatening.
Spencer police first alerted the public at 6:05 p.m., posting on Facebook that an investigation was underway at the Big Y plaza near Route 9 and urging people to stay away as road closures went into effect.
Police were initially called shortly after 5 p.m. to 20 Main Street in Spencer, where they found a person suffering from gunshot wounds. About 12 minutes later, a person matching the suspect description was located on West Main Street, also known as Route 9.
According to the Worcester County District Attorney’s office, officers approached the suspect, who then opened fire on police before fleeing into a Family Dollar store. Officers evacuated the store, and a SWAT team was called in as the situation escalated into a barricade scenario.
The SWAT team entered the store and located the suspect inside a closed bathroom area. Police said the suspect then allegedly opened fire again, striking the Millbury officer. Officers returned fire, killing the suspect at the scene. The suspect’s name has not been released.
There was a massive police presence at the Big Y shopping plaza on the west side of Spencer for much of the night, with state and local officers securing the area.
“We ask that you keep the officer, the officer’s family and fellow officers in mind during this difficult time,” chief lewos said in a statement.
Federal agents from ATF Boston also responded to assist with the investigation.
During a press conference just after 10:30 p.m., Senior First Assistant District Attorney jeff travers sought to reassure the community, saying, “I would like to assure the residents of Spencer that this was an isolated targeted event and there’s no danger to our community.”
Authorities confirmed the incident remains under investigation. Another crime scene was reported about a mile away, though officials said it is not yet known whether the two scenes are connected.