Crime & Safety
2 Newton Officers Fatally Shot Man With Knife: Middlesex DA
Police fatally shot a 28-year-old Newton resident who authorities said had a knife in a Newton Highlands candy shop.
NEWTON, MA — Two Newton police officers fatally shot a 28-year-old man who flashed a knife in a candy shop in Newton Highlands on Tuesday afternoon, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.
Around 1:40 p.m., the owner of the candy shop called 911 to report what the dispatcher interpreted as an attempted robbery, according to Ryan.
When Newton police officers arrived, they found the man with a knife, according to Ryan. The man ran upstairs where he lived, and police called for backup and a mental health clinician, she said.
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Ryan did not say if the man was behaving aggressively toward police. It was unclear if or when the mental health clinician arrived.
Newton police first shot a nonlethal bean bag gun to subdue the man and when that didn't work, a state trooper attempted to use a stun gun on the man, she said.
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"Two Newton police officers then fired their service weapons, striking the man," Ryan said.
The man, whose name was withheld, was taken to Newton-Wellesley Hospital, where he died.
At least two officers were taken to the hospital for a stress evaluation and one for a report of ringing in his ears from being close to the gun discharge. None of the officers reported serious injuries, according to Ryan.
"Members of the public here in Newton, please know that this event is over, it is now safe," Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said.
Ryan praised the owner of the candy shop who called 911 for remaining calm and keeping the phone line open. Ryan said it was not clear if the man tried to rob the candy shop.
The district attorney said further information would be made available.
"It's always a tragedy when there's a loss of life in Newton," said Fuller, adding that her heart goes out to the family of the man who died.
Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.
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