3 Dead In Winthrop Shooting, Including Suspected Gunman Who Crashed Stolen Truck Into A Building
WINTHROP (CBS) -- Three people were shot and killed in Winthrop, including a suspected gunman who stole a truck and crashed it into a house before shooting two people Saturday afternoon, according to Massachusetts State Police.
At around 2:45 p.m., officers responded to a report of a large truck crashing into a building near the intersection of Shirley and Cross Street. State Police later discovered that the suspect stole a truck "owned by a plumbing and drain company" and then crashed into a house on Veterans Road in Winthrop.
The stolen truck belonged to Rapid Flow Inc.
"He came flying down Shirley Street, and it's a very thin street. He was on the other side of the street," said one witness. "So when he hit this house, I don't think he ever touched the brakes."
The same witness said he was nearby when shots were fired by the suspect.
"I heard the boom, boom, boom, boom. I ran down and looked down. The first thing I saw was the body in the middle of the street. So I ran down, and got down because the shots were still going. I saw the smoke from the gun," said the same witness. "The girl was in the middle of the street on her stomach. Not moving, and I walked over to her and asked if she was ok. And she didn't move."
Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty says the suspect shot and killed a man and a woman near the scene, both of which were bystanders.
"After the truck crashed into the house that is behind us, the driver exited that truck, jumped over a fence and walked down the street. He engaged the first victim and then engaged the second victim, who was further down the street," said Delehanty.
I-Team sources say the male victim was a retired state trooper.
Once officers arrived on the scene, they shot the suspect, who was then taken to the hospital. He was later pronounced dead due to his injuries.
The officer who shot the suspect was taken to a hospital for evaluation, but was not seriously hurt.
State Police Superintendent Col. Christopher Mason says they have identified the victims, but, as of Saturday night, have not released their names to the public. He says they are still in the process of notifying their families.
Mason added that while the suspect's identity is also known to police, he has not been publicly identified.
Initial photos from the scene also showed another car had crashed nearby. Police later said the two occupants of that vehicle were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Late Saturday night, crews were attempting to remove the truck from the building it hit into.
Police said there is no danger to the public.