UPDATED: Shots Fired at Police Cruiser in Millis

By Patrick Luce, Liz Taurasi and Frank O’Laughlin (Patch Staff)

Shots were fired at a Millis Police cruiser Wednesday afternoon.

Massachusetts State Police said a gunman reportedly fired at the cruiser on Forest Road just before 3 p.m. Police officials say the cruiser then crashed and caught fire after being shot at. The officer was taken to Norwood Hospital with undisclosed injuries. He has since been released.

Officers are searching Millis, Medfield and Norfolk for the suspect, who they believe was on foot in the surrounding woods, and is believed to still be armed. K-9 units have been activated for the search, according to reports, and police earlier advised residents south and east of Forest Road to remain in their homes. They no longer believe he is in the area, however.

The SWAT team was reportedly spotted on off-road vehicles heading down Forest Avenue with an ambulance following behind. The ambulance did not have lights and sirens on.

Police say a preliminary investigation indicates the shots were fired from a maroon pickup truck, possibly a Ford F-150, which Millis High School students reported was circling the school just before the shots. Schools in Millis will be closed Thursday as the manhunt continues.

The suspect fled the scene after the shooting. The driver is described as a white male between 25- and 40-years-old.

The Millis Public Library has closed due to the investigation, and schools in neighboring towns held up buses.

According to the Millis Monitor, police and fire responders were already out responding to a reported bomb threat when the officer was shot at. The threat was not believed to be related to the shooting, but the schools were locked down and then evacuated.

Fox 25 News is reporting the Millis officer was checking on a disabled vehicle when he was shot at three times.

Millis Police, Millis Fire and the State Police Air Wing responded to the scene. State Police detectives and ballistic experts are also assisting at the crime scene.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates as they come in.

Photo Credit: WHDH, 7-News