SPENCER, Mass. — A Millbury police officer, who also serves on the CEMLEC Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, was injured in a shooting incident at a shopping plaza on Tuesday evening. Local law enforcement responded swiftly to the situation, resulting in the suspect being shot dead shortly after.
Authorities first received reports of a shooting at 20 Main Street around 5 p.m., where they found an individual with a gunshot wound. Just 12 minutes later, officers located a suspect matching the shooter’s description in the vicinity of West Main Street. Upon encountering law enforcement, the suspect fired at officers before fleeing to the Family Dollar store within Big Y Plaza, prompting a rapid evacuation of the building.
Police quickly escalated their response, involving the regional CEMLEC SWAT team. They discovered the suspect barricaded in a bathroom at the store. At approximately 7:40 p.m., the situation escalated further when the suspect opened fire again, injuring the Millbury officer. Officers returned fire, killing the suspect on the scene.
The officer was transported to a local hospital, where officials reported his injuries were non-life-threatening and he is now in stable condition. The name of the injured officer has not been released, and police have not disclosed the identities of the gunshot victim or the deceased suspect.
As investigations continue, police are asking the public to avoid the area, as part of Route 9 remains closed. Millbury Police Chief Brian S. Lewos characterized the incident as targeted and isolated, assuring residents that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, along with the Spencer Police Department and Massachusetts State Police, are jointly investigating the incident. Details about the initial shooting victim’s condition have not been provided.