Findings Of District Attorney Marian T. Ryan Regarding Officers Involved In The Fatal Shooting On March 26, 2016, In Lowell, MA

Statement from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan:

“The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Lowell Police Department have completed the investigation into the facts and circumstances of the shooting of Jose Perez, 39, of Lowell, MA, in Lowell, on March 26, 2016.

This investigation concludes that, in the totality of the circumstances, the two officers were justified in the use of deadly force and that there was no criminal conduct involved in the shooting of Jose Perez.”

Background:

The focus of this investigation was to determine whether the actions of either Lowell police officers in the shooting of Perez were criminal or whether, in the totality of the circumstances, the officers were justified in the use of deadly force.

This incident began at approximately 10:53 p.m. on March 26, 2016 when Lowell Police responded to two 911 calls: one from a man, identified as Jose Perez, in which he stated he was going to kill everyone and requested police officers be sent; and a second call from a female reporting that a suicidal man armed with a knife was threatening to kill himself.

The 911 calls are available here:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEaKTqLi-bs
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5lTrP5UO5w
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l_uA08-pgQ

Upon arrival at the scene, officers encountered a combative male armed with a meat cleaver and another large knife. Ignoring commands to drop his weapons, the man continued to advance on officers.  Officers discharged their weapons, striking Perez. Medical treatment was immediately administered by the two officers along with additional personnel who responded to the scene.  Perez was transported to Lowell General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, by statute, has the duty and authority to oversee all death investigations in Middlesex County. 

The investigation into the officer-involved shooting included interviews of all the responding police officers and civilian witnesses; ballistics examination of evidence found at the scene; review of radio transmissions; police reports; and review of the medical examiner’s findings.

The report can be viewed below.