WINTHROP, Mass. — A gunman crashed a stolen semi-truck into a building, gunned down two bystanders before being fatally shot by responding officers, according to Massachusetts State Police.
The traumatic sequence of fatal shootings occurred about 2:45 p.m. Saturday in Winthrop, Massachusetts, which is located east of Boston near Logan International Airport. People who live near the scene said a man leveled a brick building with a truck and gunshots were heard as he fled from the crash, WBZ-TV reported.
Neighbors say they saw the man driving the truck— crash and proceed to get out and run. They say shots were fired from there. @wbz pic.twitter.com/qzUAOgC1uT
— Lisa Gresci (@Lisa_Gresci) June 26, 2021
The suspected gunman reportedly stole the semi-truck that is owned by a plumbing and drain company. It was not clear if he had a connection to the business or if the building damaged by the apparent intentional act had specific meaning to the gunman.
After the crash, the unidentified gunman exited the cab, walked away from the truck and then gunned down two bystanders, a female and a male, Fox reported.
“We are investigating whether the male may have been trying to engage the suspect to end the threat. The female and male are both deceased,” Massachusetts State Police told WFXT.
“Winthrop Police arrived on scene within moments and shot the suspect. The suspect also is deceased.”
Per @Winthroppolice three people have been shot including the suspected gunman. While the scene remains very active, Police report that there is no active danger to the public. Motorists and the public are however asked to avoid the area at this time.
— John M. Guilfoil (@johnguilfoil) June 26, 2021
One police officer was transported to a nearby hospital with an undisclosed injury. It was described as “not serious.”
“There are multiple injured people and motorists are asked to avoid the area to allow first responders unrestricted access to the scene,” Winthrop Police said.
The State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from Winthrop Police, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the State Police Ballistics Unit are coordinating resources to handle the investigation.
