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Final review clears officer in fatal March shooting in Boylston

  • Posted by The Burbs (Sponsor: North End Motor Sales) Wed at 9:04 PM - Filed in News - #Boylston  #Boylston Police Department  #Rutland Police Department  #Patrick Sargent  #Chief John Annunziata  #Justin Lawlor  - 235 views

    WORCESTER — Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.’s office and a special prosecutor have released their final report on the March 5th officer-involved shooting of Patrick Sargent in Boylston, finding that the officer’s use of deadly force was justified and no criminal charges will be filed.

    According to the 14-page report, Boylston police responded shortly after 9 a.m. to a 911 call from a family requesting assistance with Patrick, who relatives said was making threats and had barricaded himself in a bedroom.

    Officers were told Sargent “was a threat” to others in the home and possibly had a weapon. Officers from multiple towns responded to the scene after calls for mutual aid.

    Investigators said the situation escalated when officers entered the residence with a K-9 team. Body camera recordings and statements contained in the report show Sargent repeatedly threatened to kill officers and the dog, and was seen stabbing downward toward the K-9 with a knife.

    Rutland Officer Justin Lawlor, the handler for the K-9 Storm, entered the room to protect the dog. Sargent then multiple times swung a knife at Lawlor, missing his face and neck by inches. In response, Lawlor then fired multiple shots, striking Sargent.

    A post-incident review, including ballistics and autopsy findings, concluded that Sargent initiated a violent attack and that the officer acted reasonably to protect himself, other officers and the police dog. “There were no violations of criminal offenses and charges are not warranted,” the report states in its conclusion.

    The report also reviewed police policies on the use of force, de-escalation efforts and the involvement of multiple regional agencies during the incident. It determined that officers attempted negotiation and issued clear commands before deadly force was used.

    Storm, who was wearing a protective vest, required 1 stitch for a cut he received during the attack by Sargent.

    The district attorney’s office said the investigation is now closed.

    The full report can be found here.

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