SPENCER, Mass. — A Millbury police officer is recovering after being wounded by a barricaded suspect during a shootout at a shopping plaza in Spencer on Tuesday night.
The Worcester District Attorney’s Office says the suspect shot another person earlier Tuesday evening before leading police to the Big Y plaza on West Main Street.
According to the DA’s office, just after 5 p.m., Spencer police were called to a multi-family home on Main Street. When they got there, they found a person who was suffering from a gunshot wound.
Twelve minutes later, a person matching the suspect’s description was spotted near West Main Street.
The DA’s office says when officers approached the suspect, he fired a gun toward them and ran into the Family Dollar store. Officers quickly evacuated the business.
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The CEMLEC SWAT team located the suspect hiding in a bathroom in the back of the store.
“The suspect discharged a firearm towards police officers, striking and injuring a Millbury police officer who was a member of the CEMLEC SWAT team,” said Jeff Travers, the Senior First Assistant DA. “That officer is reported to be in stable condition at this time.”
The DA’s office says the officers returned fire, killing the suspect.
“I’d like to assure the residents of Spencer that this was an isolated, targeted event,” Spencer Police Chief Michael Befford said. “And there is no danger to our community.”
Officials have not released an update on the victim in the initial shooting. So far, police are not releasing the names of the people involved.
The public was urged to stay away from the popular plaza during the massive emergency response.
An investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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