SPENCER — Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office are investigating an officer-involved shooting Tuesday evening that left a suspect dead and a police officer injured.
According to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., officers from the Spencer Police Department responded shortly after 5 p.m. on Feb. 3, 2026, to a 911 call near 20 Main Street in Spencer. When officers arrived, they located an individual suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. First responders rendered aid and transported the person to UMass Medical Center.
Roughly 12 minutes later, police located a person matching the description of the suspect from that incident near West Main Street. The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office reported that when police approached the suspect, he brandished a firearm and “shots were fired.”
The suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Patrick Madison, fled into a nearby Family Dollar store, prompting officers to evacuate the business and surrounding businesses. Spencer police requested additional resources, including a Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (CEMLEC) negotiator, SWAT team, drone unit, K-9 team, and the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing.
CEMLEC SWAT team members entered the Family Dollar and located Madison in a closed bathroom, the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office said. Gunfire was exchanged, resulting in Madison’s death and multiple gunshot wounds to a Millbury police officer assigned to the CEMLEC SWAT team, according to Millbury Police Chief Brian Lewos. The officer was taken to the hospital, and is reported to be in stable condition. Officials have not released the officer’s name.
The incident remains under investigation by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, along with State Police Crime Scene Services, the State Police Ballistics Section and Spencer police.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact state police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office at (508) 453-7536.
