Crime & Safety
Cherry Valley Man ID'd As Person Killed By Leicester Police
Zachary Richardson, 24, rammed his SUV into the Leicester police station before he was shot.
LEICESTER, MA — Authorities identified the man shot and killed by Leicester officers over the weekend as 24-year-old Cherry Valley resident Zachary Richardson.
According to Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr., officers opened fire on Richardson after he rammed the Leicester police station with his SUV. Early also said police saw Richardson get out of his Toyota FJ Cruiser holding what appeared to be a rifle.
Two officers were placed on administrative leave following the fatal shooting.
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Early has not disclosed a possible motive for why Richardson drove into the police station, and has not confirmed if Richardson was holding a rifle or some other object.
This is the second fatal police shooting in Worcester County so far this year. Phet Gouvonvong, 31, was shot and killed on April 21 by SWAT officer Paul Cyr during a standoff. Officials have said Gouvonvong threatened to detonate a bomb — a device he was carrying turned out to be a fake — and was armed with a handgun.
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