Man Dies From Injuries Following Officer-Involved Shooting in Burlington

BURLINGTON - Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Burlington Chief of Police Thomas Browne have announced that Paul Courtemanche, 42, the man involved in last night’s officer-involved shooting in Burlington has died from his injuries. 

On January 23, 2022, at approximately 12:08 p.m., Burlington Police received a 911 call from Paul Courtemanche, who stated he was having some mental health issues. Courtemanche allegedly told the officer that he had a knife and that he was unsure how he would respond when the officers arrived. Paul Courtemanche remained on the phone throughout the incident. 

Two officers were dispatched to Lord Baron Apartments on Baron Park Lane and instructed to wait outside until the arrival of additional personnel. While they were waiting outside near their cruisers, Courtemanche, still on the open line, allegedly came out of the building wielding a knife moved towards the officers. The officers repeatedly commanded Mr. Courtemanche to put the knife down but he continued to run towards the officers, still in possession of the knife. One of the officers discharged a less than lethal round, a round with a foam tip, which was unsuccessful in stopping him. Still wielding the knife, Mr. Courtemanche continued to advance toward the second officer who discharged the department-issued firearm, striking Mr. Courtemanche.

One of the officers sustained minor injuries during the incident. The two responding officers were transported to an area hospital and later discharged.

This is an open and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney's Office and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.