Two police officers were injured and a suspect died in an officer-involved shooting early Sunday in Fall River, Massachusetts, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn.Police responded at 12:13 a.m. to 309 Linden St. in after a 911 caller said a man, later identified as 40-year-old Nigel Vaughn, of Fall River, was in possession of a firearm in a vehicle outside of the address. Vaughn was in a sport utility vehicle when police arrived, officials said. Officers performed a pat frisk of Vaughn, who began to violently resist which resulted in a physical struggle with the officers, police said. During the physical struggle, police said Vaughn showed a firearm. While on the ground, he began firing at police, striking one officer in the elbow and a second officer in the abdomen striking his bullet resistant vest, police said. A third officer was also on scene.Officers on scene then returned fire striking Vaughn. Officers rendered aid to the suspect, and a Glock firearm with an aftermarket modification known as a switch was found next to Vaughn.The switch made the weapon fully automatic, capable of firing multiple rounds with one trigger pull, police said. A NewsCenter 5 crew at the scene saw police recover a gun as officers searched for evidence.Vaughn was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.The two injured officers and the third officer who returned fire were all transported for treatment. The injuries to officers were non-life threatening and all three officers have been discharged from the hospital.Just before the shooting, police said they had an interaction with Vaughn just before midnight on Linden Street at Knight’s Gas Station. Police had responded to a call that reported reckless driving in the parking lot along with a possible physical altercation. When police arrived, they found Vaughn in the gas station lot in a SUV along with two other people. After a brief interaction, Vaughn was told to leave the private lot.Police said Vaughn has a long criminal record and was on probation after recently being released from prison with a requirement that he not possess weapons. “We had a scene last night with zero degrees at midnight, with a gentleman with a gun and it went south and it went bad, but the police with their training to keep people safe was spectacular,” said Mayor Paul Coogan. An investigation is being conducted by the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.”Once again, this incident highlights the dangers police face in encounters with armed individuals. The suspect has a violent history and the officers were just doing their job on a brutally cold night trying to protect the community. Through the grace of God all of the officers lives were spared. I am grateful for their service and professionalism under the most difficult of circumstances,” Quinn said.The officers’ names have not been released.
FALL RIVER, Mass. —
Two police officers were injured and a suspect died in an officer-involved shooting early Sunday in Fall River, Massachusetts, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn.
Police responded at 12:13 a.m. to 309 Linden St. in after a 911 caller said a man, later identified as 40-year-old Nigel Vaughn, of Fall River, was in possession of a firearm in a vehicle outside of the address.
Vaughn was in a sport utility vehicle when police arrived, officials said. Officers performed a pat frisk of Vaughn, who began to violently resist which resulted in a physical struggle with the officers, police said.
During the physical struggle, police said Vaughn showed a firearm. While on the ground, he began firing at police, striking one officer in the elbow and a second officer in the abdomen striking his bullet resistant vest, police said. A third officer was also on scene.
Hearst Owned
Police release photos from body cam video of the incident that left two officers injured and a suspect dead in Fall River.
Officers on scene then returned fire striking Vaughn. Officers rendered aid to the suspect, and a Glock firearm with an aftermarket modification known as a switch was found next to Vaughn.
The switch made the weapon fully automatic, capable of firing multiple rounds with one trigger pull, police said. A NewsCenter 5 crew at the scene saw police recover a gun as officers searched for evidence.
Omar Bradley/Wicked Local
Nigel Vaughn confers with his attorney during a 2007 trial in New Bedford Superior Court
Vaughn was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The two injured officers and the third officer who returned fire were all transported for treatment. The injuries to officers were non-life threatening and all three officers have been discharged from the hospital.
Just before the shooting, police said they had an interaction with Vaughn just before midnight on Linden Street at Knight’s Gas Station. Police had responded to a call that reported reckless driving in the parking lot along with a possible physical altercation.
When police arrived, they found Vaughn in the gas station lot in a SUV along with two other people. After a brief interaction, Vaughn was told to leave the private lot.
Hearst Owned
Police released a photo of a bullet proof vest that was worn by an officer during a shooting in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Police said Vaughn has a long criminal record and was on probation after recently being released from prison with a requirement that he not possess weapons.
“We had a scene last night with zero degrees at midnight, with a gentleman with a gun and it went south and it went bad, but the police with their training to keep people safe was spectacular,” said Mayor Paul Coogan.
An investigation is being conducted by the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
“Once again, this incident highlights the dangers police face in encounters with armed individuals. The suspect has a violent history and the officers were just doing their job on a brutally cold night trying to protect the community. Through the grace of God all of the officers lives were spared. I am grateful for their service and professionalism under the most difficult of circumstances,” Quinn said.
The officers’ names have not been released.