2 Braintree officers shot, K-9 dies, suspect killed in shooting

BRAINTREE, Mass. — Ambulances left a Braintree apartment complex carrying two wounded police officers and a suspect who died following a shootout Friday, the Norfolk County District Attorney said.

Andrew Homen, 34, of Brockton was killed after police said he opened fire on the officers, the DA said.

“Yeah, so several gunshots. I would say at least a dozen or more,” said Robert Cooke, who is a neighbor.

Cooke lives on the other side of the woods where the shootout took place.

“Almost like fireworks: ta, ta, ta, ta but quickly. Several seconds, 3 to 4 seconds of all those gun shots and then all these cops cars,” said Cooke.

Braintree Police got a 911 call at about 12:45 p.m. Friday afternoon for a domestic dispute. The suspect took off into the woods. Police say he was armed with two guns. Once the police K-9 unit arrived, they went in to find him.

“We made it about 100 yards into the woods where they were essentially ambushed,” said Braintree Police Chief Mark Dubois.

The chief says it was like a shootout.

And Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey said all three Braintree officers including the K-9 were hit.

“In the initial exchange of gunfire the police dog was struck and the officers were also struck as they returned fire,” said Morrissey.

The police K-9 named Kit, a 12-year veteran of the force, was killed.

“It’s tragic for us for our K-9. That dog is incredible,” said Chief Dubois.

And he said the officers were hit several times. “Both have multiple gunshot wounds,” said Chief Dubois.

The suspect was hit too. All were carried out of the woods by police and placed into ambulances. The chief says his officers showed remarkable courage.

“It also shows you in the middle of the afternoon how dangerous this job is. And the courage of these officers have walking through a wooded area like this and the exchange of gunfire,” said Chief Dubois.

The DA says there is no update on the condition of the two officers shot.

One neighbor said she heard the bells from the train gates for the nearby Commuter Rail go down, and that was quickly followed by about a dozen gunshots.

A man who lives in the complex and was out walking his dog also heard gunfire. Then, he said, police swarmed the neighborhood.

“I heard gunshots and all kind of police come to the area,” said Luis Rivera, who lives in the apartment building. “We got Braintree, we got State Troopers, we got detectives, all kinds of agencies at this complex here.”

The incident impacted travel on the MBTA.

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