DA identifies woman killed in officer-involved shooting in Saugus

SAUGUS, Mass. — Marcella Gerardi was shocked to see a crime scene at her cousin’s home on Alfred Road in Saugus on Saturday.

“I just came here to make sure everybody was okay, that they were okay,” said Gerardi, shaken up.

This is where the Essex County District Attorney’s Office says a woman was killed in an officer-involved shooting.

The DA says a family member called police to the home for a woman in distress at around 4:32 p.m., and when three officers arrived they were confronted by a 38-year-old woman brandishing a knife.

The Essex DA says one of the officers shot the woman three times, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The Essex D.A.’s Office announced Sunday afternoon the woman’s identity as Stephanie Gerardi, 38, of 3 Alfred Road, Saugus.

“I’m feeling sad, I’m feeling hurt, I’m shocked, shocked,” said Gerardi.

Gerardi still didn’t know whether her cousin was the one who was killed, but she came out to show support for her family.

“If it’s the cousin we’re thinking of she did have two little kids,” said Michael Walker, a relative.

“It’s horrible, it’s heartbreaking,” said Annette Guarino, a neighbor. “I heard it was a woman and I don’t know how old she was, but that’s sad I heard she had children, I feel sad for the children.”

Neighbors were also startled by the shooting after seeing police swarm the area.

“It’s shocking, extremely shocking, I’ve been here since 1994 and nothing has ever happened,” said Guarino.

The DA says the officers involved were not injured, but they were taken to the hospital as a precaution. The officer who fired his gun is also on administrative leave as this investigation continues.

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