2 Boston Police Officers Wounded in Shooting, Suspect Dead
Two Boston Police officers were shot and critically injured while responding to a call last Wednesday night, authorities said.
The suspect in the shootings, later identified as Kirk Figueroa, 33, was wearing a ballistics vest and was holding a rifle when the officers appeared on the scene. The officers, who were responding to a domestic incident between Figueroa and his roommates, were immediately met with open fire.
Other Boston Police officers arrived on the scene shortly after the first few shots, dragging the wounded officers in the midst of gunfire. Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said police had no choice but to “neutralize” the suspect. He was killed in an exchange of gunfire with officers.
"We're not proud when we have to use deadly force.” Evans said. “But obviously we had two officers gravely injured here, and it left no choice."
One officer was shot several times and is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries, the other officer is also at the hospital recovering from gunshot wounds. His injuries are said to be non-life threatening. They have not been identified yet, but Evans did say at a press conference that they were both longtime members of the force, one having served for 28 years and the other for 12.
USA Today reported that a total of 11 police officers were wounded in the gunfire. Nine officers were treated for minor injuries, stress and trauma.
The Suffolk County district attorney’s office will investigate the police-involved shooting.
"It's going to take time," District Attorney Daniel Conley said. "The two individuals who probably know most about what happened tonight are in Mass Gen fighting for their lives."