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BURLINGTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Burlington Police officer shot a man wielding a knife outside of an apartment complex Sunday afternoon, according to the Middlesex district attorney's office.
Burlington Police responded to a 911 call from the victim who had called the police to tell them he was having some mental health issues. He allegedly told the dispatcher he had a knife and he was "unsure how he would respond" when officers arrived.
When two officers arrived at the scene at the Lord Baron Apartments, the man, who was still on the phone with the dispatcher, came out of the building brandishing a knife. The man then began to move towards the officers while still carrying the knife and did not listen to commands to drop the weapon, according to the Middlesex District Attorney.
This is was when the first officer fired a "less than lethal" round at the man, which was unsuccessful in stopping him. The man allegedly continued at the police with the knife, which led to the second officer shooting the man with his firearm.
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He was given medical aid on the scene and then transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for life-threatening injuries. The Middlesex District Attorney did not release the man's identity. Both police officers were taken to the hospital, one for minor injuries, and later released.
"This individual has been living here since July 2021 and he was not known to the Burlington Police," Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said in a press conference.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Ryan said the man was still on the phone with the dispatcher throughout the entire incident and that the recording will be used in the investigation.
WBZ's Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) reports.
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