New Bedford Officer Expected To Survive After Stabbing, Teen Shooting
NEW BEDFORD (CBS) - A New Bedford police officer stabbed multiple times Thursday night was still in the hospital Friday with what were originally described as serious life-threatening injuries, but the department said he's now expected to survive.
Police say officers from the gang unit were patrolling the Temple Landing development when a fight broke out.
During the fight, a teenager stabbed Det. Tyson Barnes stabbed multiple times with a hunting knife..
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports
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Other officers ordered 15-year-old Malcolm Gracia to drop the knife, but he reportedly refused.
Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter says that's when those officers opened fire.
"After repeated instructions to cease, the officer fired a series of shots at the assailant, striking him and knocking him to the ground," he said. "The assailant returned to his feet still armed with a knife and moved toward the officers. Officers again fired at the stabber, knocking him to the ground."
Several witnesses say they heard the shots and described the aftermath as chaotic.
"There was a young kid on the ground, maybe 15 feet away from the officer who was shot and killed. You could tell he was dead," one witness told WBZ NewsRadio 1030.
Malcom's father, Joseph Ramos, was shot and killed by Dartmouth police in a similar fashion in 2009, after attacking an officer with a screwdriver.
Nick Baptist was Malcolm's former teacher and mentor. He describes Malcolm as extremely intelligent but confused and angry about life.
"I wish I could say it was one of surprise, but it wasn't," he said. "I've seen some of his behaviors in the classroom and I know he was a kid looking for help."
