SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A prison guard shot and killed a Massachusetts police officer who was responding to a domestic disturbance at the gunman’s home Monday afternoon.
The gunman, identified as 34-year-old Shawn Bryan of Hempstead, N.Y., then shot and critically injured his estranged girlfriend Charlene Mitchell, 29, before turning the gun on himself, The Republican reported.
Police officer Kevin Ambrose responded to a 911 call from Mitchell, who reported that Bryan was near her apartment in Springfield, western Massachusetts, Police Commissioner William Fitchet said.
Mitchell had taken out a restraining order against Bryan and said she feared for her life.
When Ambrose arrived on the scene shortly before 1:00pm, Fitchet said, Bryan was outside the apartment with Mitchell.
Bryan, a corrections officer at New York’s Rikers Island, then pushed Mitchell inside and closed the door, according to The Republican.
When Ambrose tried to push the door open, Fitchet said, Bryan shot him through the door, then opened it, shot the officer again and shot Mitchell.
Bryan then left the apartment and shot himself in the chest in his car, according to Fitchet.
All three were taken to Baystate Medical Center, where Ambrose and Bryan were pronounced dead and Mitchell was listed in critical condition.
Ambrose is survived by a wife, two children and one grandchild.
“Officer Ambrose paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting and serving the residents of our city. He will be sadly missed by his fellow officers and the community at large,” Mayor Domenic Sarno said.
Bryan joined the city’s Department of Corrections on Aug. 27, 2009, according to department records. He last worked on Saturday and was scheduled to be back on the job Tuesday. He was assigned to the Anna M. Kross Center on Rikers Island.