MILLBURY—A Millbury police officer was shot Tuesday night during a standoff with an armed suspect at a shopping plaza in Spencer, an incident that ended with the suspect’s death and prompted a large, multi-agency police response, authorities said.
According to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., the shooting followed an earlier incident reported shortly after 5 p.m. Feb. 3 in the area of 20 Main St., where Spencer police responded to a 911 call and found an injured person suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. That individual was transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
About 12 minutes later, police located a person matching the suspect’s description near West Main Street. As officers approached, the suspect produced a firearm and shots were fired, Early said.
The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Patrick Madison, fled into a nearby Family Dollar store at the Big Y Shopping Plaza along Route 9, with officers in pursuit. Police evacuated the store and surrounding businesses and requested additional resources, including the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (CEMLEC) negotiator and SWAT team, as well as K-9, drone and State Police air units.
CEMLEC SWAT officers later entered the Family Dollar and located Madison inside a closed bathroom. An exchange of gunfire followed, resulting in injuries to a Millbury police officer — who is also a member of the CEMLEC SWAT team — and the death of Madison, Early said.
A spokesperson for the City of Worcester confirmed to the Worcester Guardian that Madison was employed by the Worcester Department of Public Works but declined to comment further.
Millbury Police Chief Brian S. Lewos said the officer sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to a hospital, where the officer was listed in stable condition Tuesday night. The officer’s name has not been released.
“We ask that you keep the officer, the officer’s family and fellow officers in mind during this difficult time,” Lewos said in a statement.
Earlier in the evening, Spencer police warned the public of an active police investigation at the Big Y plaza and closed Route 9 in the area, urging drivers to avoid the scene. The roadway was shut down for several hours as the investigation continued.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office at 508-453-7536.
Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
