Worcester police shoot man
They say 20-year-old, sought on warrants, opened fire first
A suspect identified by family as Anthony Burns was treated after he was shot by police yesterday in Worcester. Wanted on outstanding warrants, he was in stable condition last night. (Tom Rettig/ Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
By Scott J. Croteau
Worcester Telegram & Gazette / November 17, 2010
WORCESTER— A Worcester man fleeing law enforcement officials looking to arrest him on warrants allegedly fired several shots at them before they shot him yesterday.
The officers returned fire around 12:30 p.m., twice striking the suspect, identified by family members as 20-year-old Anthony Burns, in the hip and chest.
“We are very lucky and very blessed that none of our guys got hit,’’ police Sergeant Kerry F. Hazelhurst said at the scene. “This one was close.’’
The suspect allegedly pulled out a .22-caliber handgun and fired at police.
Several bullet casings were seen on the ground, and a window of a police cruiser appeared to have been hit.
The Warrant Apprehension Team — made up of city and State Police and US marshals — were looking for the man at an apartment on Branch Street. When the man spotted team members, he took off from the apartment, running toward Interstate 290, police said.
Officers began to close in on the suspect in the area of 181 Grafton St.
“At this time, the suspect stopped running, pulled out a gun, and began shooting at the officers,’’ police said.
“Several other police vehicles arrived at the scene, and the suspect began to fire multiple rounds at the responding officers.’’
The officers fired back, striking the suspect. He fell and dropped the gun. Police then rushed to the suspect and handcuffed him.
A metal fragment was found in the right shoulder of an officer, according to police Chief Gary J. Gemme.
He was in his cruiser when the suspect allegedly fired a shot that smashed the passenger-side window.
The officer will see a specialist for further evaluation.
The two other officers were not hit, and all three were evaluated at St. Vincent Hospital.
The suspect was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus for treatment. He was listed in stable condition last night.
Police vehicles flooded Grafton Street, snarling traffic, as onlookers gathered.
It appeared the suspect immediately opened fire at police and had intended to fire at the officers, Chief Gemme said, citing preliminary reports.
It appeared three officers fired at the suspect, but their names were not released.
The officers will be placed on administrative duty while the investigation continues, the chief said.
Burns’s sister, Jamey Burns, said last night that her brother was aware of at least one of the warrants and had planned to turn himself in. She said he decided not to because he started to fear for his safety after police repeatedly called his cellphone.
She said the charges related to one of the warrants arose after someone stole his car and committed a crime with it.Worcester police shoot man
They say 20-year-old, sought on warrants, opened fire first
A suspect identified by family as Anthony Burns was treated after he was shot by police yesterday in Worcester. Wanted on outstanding warrants, he was in stable condition last night. (Tom Rettig/ Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
By Scott J. Croteau
Worcester Telegram & Gazette / November 17, 2010
E-mail|Print|Reprints| Text size – +
WORCESTER— A Worcester man fleeing law enforcement officials looking to arrest him on warrants allegedly fired several shots at them before they shot him yesterday.
The officers returned fire around 12:30 p.m., twice striking the suspect, identified by family members as 20-year-old Anthony Burns, in the hip and chest.
“We are very lucky and very blessed that none of our guys got hit,’’ police Sergeant Kerry F. Hazelhurst said at the scene. “This one was close.’’
The suspect allegedly pulled out a .22-caliber handgun and fired at police.
Several bullet casings were seen on the ground, and a window of a police cruiser appeared to have been hit.
The Warrant Apprehension Team — made up of city and State Police and US marshals — were looking for the man at an apartment on Branch Street. When the man spotted team members, he took off from the apartment, running toward Interstate 290, police said.
Officers began to close in on the suspect in the area of 181 Grafton St.
“At this time, the suspect stopped running, pulled out a gun, and began shooting at the officers,’’ police said.
“Several other police vehicles arrived at the scene, and the suspect began to fire multiple rounds at the responding officers.’’
The officers fired back, striking the suspect. He fell and dropped the gun. Police then rushed to the suspect and handcuffed him.
A metal fragment was found in the right shoulder of an officer, according to police Chief Gary J. Gemme.
He was in his cruiser when the suspect allegedly fired a shot that smashed the passenger-side window.
The officer will see a specialist for further evaluation.
The two other officers were not hit, and all three were evaluated at St. Vincent Hospital.
The suspect was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus for treatment. He was listed in stable condition last night.
Police vehicles flooded Grafton Street, snarling traffic, as onlookers gathered.
It appeared the suspect immediately opened fire at police and had intended to fire at the officers, Chief Gemme said, citing preliminary reports.
It appeared three officers fired at the suspect, but their names were not released.
The officers will be placed on administrative duty while the investigation continues, the chief said.
Burns’s sister, Jamey Burns, said last night that her brother was aware of at least one of the warrants and had planned to turn himself in. She said he decided not to because he started to fear for his safety after police repeatedly called his cellphone.
She said the charges related to one of the warrants arose after someone stole his car and committed a crime with it.
