Raynham police shoot, kill man who answered his door pointing a gun at them
RAYNHAM - Raynham police shot and killed a man after he answered his apartment door pointing a gun with a 21-round magazine at them, investigators said. Police were at the man's apartment for a well-being check for "belligerent behavior."
Suspect known to police
According to police, 35-year-old Stephen Maclean was arrested on Monday for alleged witness intimidation and disorderly conduct in a case involving his girlfriend. He had been on probation for OUI second offense and the Probation Department had requested that Maclean be held. The court released him on personal recognizance.
Police said they had responded to his home at King Phillip Apartments in Raynham several times in the past few days.
"The deceased had been arrested yesterday on charges of intimidation of a witness and disorderly conduct for an ongoing court case that involved his girlfriend," Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said.
District Attorney: "This is a tragedy"
On Tuesday, four police officers responded to a call to Maclean's apartment. They said his girlfriend called police to report Maclean was acting aggressive. She said he had been fired from his job for going to work intoxicated.
According to police, Maclean opened the door, pointing a gun at police. Two officers fired on Maclean and a third used a taser.
"All repetitive, like boom, boom, boom, boom, boom," a neighbor said. "I thought it was firecracker at first, and I was like who's lighting firecrackers off at 11:30 in the morning? Then I came out here and saw all the cops."
Police administered aid until paramedics arrived. Maclean was transported to Morton Hospital in Taunton where he was pronounced dead.
"Like all these cases, this is a tragedy," Quinn said. No officers were hurt in the shooting.
One neighbor wishes he'd known just how much someone a few doors down was suffering. "It's tragic. It's sad. It's super sad. I wish I was there to help him," the man said.
What happens next
Quinn said the police officers involved in the shooting were wearing body cameras. Investigators are still reviewing that footage. Maclean's gun will be analyzed to determine if it was fired.
Raynham Police Chief David LaPlante said the officers' response was consistent with police training and that there is no active threat to the community.