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Bullet passes through cruiser, strikes Mass. trooper

The trooper, who sustained a non-life-threatening injury, was responding to a Shot-spotter alert for gunfire

By Patrick Johnson
The Republican

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A Massachusetts State Police trooper was injured late Thursday when he was hit by gunfire on Nursery Street as he responded to a call for a reported shooting, official said.

The trooper, whose name was not disclosed, suffered an injury described as not life-threatening, according to state police spokesman David Procopio. The trooper was treated at Baystate Medical Center and has since been discharged.

The trooper was struck when the bullet passed through his cruiser, he said. He was responding to a Shot-spotter alert for gunfire in the area of 195 Nursery. He was struck just as he arrived at the scene.

Springfield police responded to the scene also, and a Springfield officer provided immediate first aid to the trooper until an ambulance arrived, said Springfield police spokesman Ryan Walsh.

Walsh said a Springfield police cruiser was also hit by gunfire in the same incident, but it was unoccupied at the time.

The trooper is assigned to the Springfield barracks on Armory Street, and was a member of the most recent state police academy class that graduated in May.

As news of the shooting spread, the State Police Association of Massachusetts posted a statement on Twitter that read “Tonight, one of our members has a lot to be thankful for. Not the way to end and start off the New Year, with another Trooper being shot!”

Col. Christopher S. Mason, superintendent of the state police, on Friday issued a statement that read:

“I commend our Trooper for his proactive response to the shot-spotter alert that led to his being shot. He rushed to a scene where he knew violence was occurring, in order to investigate and end a threat to public safety.

I am also extremely grateful to the Springfield officer who cared for our injured Trooper at the scene, to the EMTs who treated him and took him to the hospital, and to the medical professionals who cared for him there.

Last night’s shooting once again underscores the dangers faced on any given shift by Massachusetts State Troopers and all police officers who protect our communities. Again we are reminded — as if any reminder was necessary— that no tour of duty is routine or predictable for law enforcement officers.

We continue to investigate the incident so that we may identity and hold accountable the person or persons responsible for this violent act, and we will continue to provide all necessary support to the Trooper involved.”

The investigation is ongoing, Procopio said.

(c)2021 The Republican, Springfield, Mass.

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