Overview
- Officers attended a Wells Street home in Springfield just before 3:30pm Wednesday for a welfare check with a mental health clinician present.
- Police say a 49-year-old armed himself with a screwdriver and other sharp objects, refused to cooperate, and barricaded himself as negotiators and tactical teams were called in.
- Non-lethal options including Tasers and pepper spray were used without success before tactical officers forced entry around 9:25pm after the man ignited an aerosol can toward police.
- The man allegedly stabbed at an officer multiple times, causing a slight laceration despite protective clothing, and officers fired; paramedics treated him but he died at the scene.
- A critical-incident investigation is underway led by the State Crime Command Homicide Squad with Professional Standards review and LECC oversight, and Assistant Commissioner David Waddell says the probe will take months.