Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey said Braintree police officers were “ambushed” by a suspect, who fatally shot a police K9 and wounded two officers.
WATD’s Dan McCready reports on the incident.
Morrissey identified the suspect as 34-year old Andrew Homen, who had a last-known address in Brockton, was shot by police and was pronounced dead at Milton Hospital.
In an update Saturday, the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office says the two Braintree police officers are now in stable condition. Both remain in the hospital.
Around 12:45 p.m. on Friday, police responded to the Braintree Village apartments on McCusker Drive for a 911 caller reporting a domestic incident. Police located a victim, who told police that Homen was armed with two handguns and fled into nearby woods. A perimeter was established, and police located him 45 minutes later.
“As three officers and the dog got into the wooded area, approximately 75 yards, they came under fire from and individual in a defensive position, some would say lying in wait in an ambush, for the officers to come into the wooded area,” said Morrissey. “In the initial exchange of gunfire, the police dog, a 12-year veteran, was struck in one of the initial rounds of fire. The officers were also struck as they returned fire in the direction of the suspect.”
Braintree police located Homen, and found that K-9 Officer Kitt was mortally wounded.
The officers were shot multiple times.
Responding officers carried Homen and the wounded officers about 100 yards out of the woods. Aid was rendered before they were transported to hospitals.
They were identified as veterans of six and 10 years of the department. One officer was taken to a Boston hospital, another officer was taken to South Shore Hospital. Both officers were in surgery with serious injuries, but are expected to survive.
“That dog is incredible. They’re very successful, 12-year veteran of the police department, partnered with the same officer for that entire time. It’s heartbreaking,” said Police Chief Mark Dubois. “It shows you that in the middle of the afternoon, how dangerous this job is, and the courage that the officers have walking through a wooded area like this in an exchange of gunfire.”
A shelter-in-place was ordered for the nearby Braintree Middle School. Once a perimeter was set up, the shelter in place was released after about 45 minutes.
“[Homen] has multiple addresses, and he appears to be well-known to police,” said Morrissey. “There was warrants out for his arrest at the time of the shooting.”
Peer support will be provided to officers who responded to the incident.
Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey (right) and Braintree Police Chief Mark Dubois (left) provide an update outside of McCusker Drive. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
An ambulance leaves the scene at McCusker Drive in Braintree. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Police from surrounding towns responded to the scene at McCusker Drive in Braintree. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
State and Braintree Police block McCusker Drive at Union Street in Braintree. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
