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NOVEMBER 28, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: TIM CONNOLLY 508-
FITCHBURG – City police officers responded with appropriate force when they shot and killed a Belmont Street man armed with a machete on March 19, according Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Eric D. Stafford, 21, of Apartment No.1, 15 Belmont St., was transported to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Leominster Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Executive Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in its autopsy report said Mr. Stafford died of two gunshot wounds to the torso.
“Given the circumstances, including attempts by the officers to subdue the suspect by less lethal means, the officers acted appropriately,” Mr. Early said.
At about 11 p.m. on March 19 Fitchburg Police were called to 15 Belmont St. after Mr. Stafford’s girlfriend reported he was acting
strangely and may have been armed with a BB gun and a machete. Police found Mr. Stafford seated in a back room of the apartment and armed with a machete.
Police ordered Mr. Stafford to drop the machete. When he did not drop the weapon,
police attempted to subdue Mr. Stafford with several rounds of Pepperball. Sometime after the less lethal Pepperballs were fired, Mr. Stafford raised the machete over his head and charged police. Officers fired several rounds from their service weapons, two of which struck Mr. Stafford.
Two police officers involved in the confrontation, who were placed on paid administrative, have since returned to work. State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation.
Police ordered Mr. Stafford to drop the machete. When he did not drop the weapon,
police attempted to subdue Mr. Stafford with several rounds of Pepperball. Sometime after the less lethal Pepperballs were fired, Mr. Stafford raised the machete over his head and charged police. Officers fired several rounds from their service weapons, two of which struck Mr. Stafford.
Two police officers involved in the confrontation, who were placed on paid administrative, have since returned to work. State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation.