Reading police officer charged with manslaughter

READING, Mass. — A 14-year veteran of the Reading Police Department is charged with manslaughter for the 2018 shooting of an unarmed man during a domestic violence call.

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Officer Erik Drauschke pleaded not guilty at his arraignment at Woburn Superior Court Wednesday morning.

Prosecutors allege, on February 3, 2018, Officer Drauschke fatally shot and killed 43-year-old Alan Greenough after finding him allegedly hiding in a parked car.

Assistant Middlesex DA Thomas Brant said the events leading to the fatal shooting began the night before when Reading Police responded to a domestic violence call at Greenough’s Main Street apartment.

Police issued a “Be On The Look-Out Alert” for Greenough.

The next night, Reading Police responded to the same address for another domestic violence call involving the same three people.

This time, police found Greenough locked in his apartment, refusing to come out.

The DA alleges Officer Drauschke found Greenough hiding in a parked car, behind his apartment.

Greenough escaped his apartment through a back window.

Officer Drauschke allegedly drew his weapon, opened the car door, and ordered Greenough to show his hands get out of the car.

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Prosecutor Brant said instead, Greenough kept his hands in his sweatshirt pockets and ran towards Officer Drauschke who was backing away.

“At that point, without showing any weapon, without showing any threat, Mr. Greenough says, ‘Shoot me, shoot me, shoot me!’ At which point the defendant (Officer Drauschke) shoots him twice. Right in the chest, killing him,” Prosecutor Brant told the court.

Officer Drauschke refused to speak to reporters after his arraignment.

But his attorney said Officer Drauschke acted in self-defense, even though, victim Greenough was not armed.

“It’s self-defense based on the totality of the circumstances and the threat he faced,” defense attorney Peter Pasciucco said. “Officer Drauschke should not have to gamble with his safety. This is a tragic situation the suspect created.”

Officer Drauschke is released on his own personal recognizance.

He is ordered to surrender any firearms to the Reading Police Department.

Officer Drauschke is due back in court on December 3rd.

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