New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Officials probing fatal police shooting outside casino
SPRINGFIELD, M.A. — State and local officials are investigating a fatal police shooting outside of the Springfield MGM casino early Saturday that killed a 48-year-old man, according to the Hampden County District's Attorney's Office.
The incident began at about 2 a.m. Saturday when members of the Massachusetts State Police Gaming Unit and Springfield police received a report that a 48year-old man was “acting aggressive” to others and was possibly armed inside the Springfield MGM casino, Jim Leydon, a spokesperson for the office of Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, said in a press release.
The man was located as he was leaving the casino heading in the direction of Main and Union Streets, Leydon said. A foot pursuit ensued with shots fired between the man and responding officers, the release said.
The man was struck by gunfire and taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield where he died, reports said. Gulluni's office along with Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit and the Springfield police Detective Bureau are investigating the deadly use of police force, Leydon said.
The name of the man is being withheld until his family has been notified, Leydon said.
Massachusetts State Police confirmed that their officers were involved in the shooting but declined to comment on whether anyone had died. Springfield police said through their spokesman Ryan Walsh that officers were at the scene but they were not involved in the shooting.
Gulluni is seeking to conduct a “thorough, fair and transparent process” throughout the investigation, Leydon said in the release.
Body-worn camera footage, public and private recording systems, witness statements, 911 calls and dispatch logs will be examined as part of the investigation, Leydon said.
“The investigation will rely on nationally-recognized best practices for conducting an impartial and transparent investigation into what led to a police officer's use of deadly force, resulting in a death,” Leydon said.