FITCHBURG — A Fitchburg police officer shot an armed man Saturday morning after he allegedly made “suicidal statements” and pointed a firearm at the officer during an encounter on Lunenburg Street, according to statements from Mayor Sam Squailia and the Fitchburg Police Department.
On Saturday, December 15, 2024, at approximately 9:23 a.m., the Fitchburg Police Department received a 911 call reporting that a shirtless Black male in brown pants was walking along Lunenburg Street with a firearm while making “suicidal statements.”
According to Fitchburg police, when a Fitchburg police officer located the “subject,” he exited his cruiser in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
“Moments later the subject pointed a firearm directly at the officer,” the statement from the Fitchburg Police Department said. “The officer discharged his department issued firearm, striking the subject. The officer immediately began to render medical aid to the wounded man.”
After he was shot, the man was deemed to be in stable condition at the scene and airlifted to an area hospital where his condition remains stable.
“The police officer involved is a two-year veteran of our department and has been placed on administrative leave as required by policy,” the Fitchburg Police Department said in its statement.
The incident is currently under investigation by Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
