Millis Officer Fabricated Shooting Story

A Millis officer who said a gunman fired at his police cruiser Wednesday, prompting a massive manhunt and school closures, admitted to making up the story.

The part-time officer reportedly shot his own car before crashing it off Forest Road in Millis, Police announced Thursday afternoon. The part-time officer’s cruiser then caught fire after crashing. The officer reported that a man in a maroon pickup truck had fired the shots before speeding away. At the time, he was believed to be hiding in the woods surrounding the area.

The report prompted a massive manhunt, with local departments and state police searching Millis, Medfield and Norfolk with dozens of cruisers, ATVs and a helicopter. Area residents were ordered to shelter in place, leaving a community terrified that a gunman was on the loose. Schools in Millis were canceled Thursday while the manhunt continued.

“We wanted to get this information out there to let people know there is no danger to the public,” Millis Police Sgt. William Dwyer said, detailing the massive manhunt and ballistics investigation that turned up no evidence other than that from the officer.

““I’m very upset,” Dwyer said. “I don’t know exactly how to feel right now, other than concern for the other officers. The alleged actions of this part-time officer should not reflect on the other officers of the department.”

The officer, who was hired in June and was in training to become a full-time officer, will be fired, police announced. Officers continue to investigate and charges are likely against the officer.