Findings Released in Non-Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting of Timothy Martin on January 19, 2021

WAKEFIELD - - The Middlesex District Attorney's Office, the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office and the Wakefield Police Department have concluded the investigation into the non-fatal shooting of Timothy Martin, 24 of Manchester, New Hampshire. Martin was shot by Wakefield Police, following the discovery of the body of his mother at an Otis Street residence on January 19, 2021.

Timothy Martin has been charged with murder and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the alleged homicide of his mother, Pamela Wood. The next date in this case is March 1, 2022.

On January 19, 2021, at approximately 9:55 a.m., Wakefield Police responded to a home on Otis Street to perform a well-being check on Pamela Wood. Upon arrival, police and firefighters reportedly located the victim deceased from severe trauma in the home's basement level. In the basement, officers also encountered Timothy Martin. Mr. Martin is alleged to have emerged running and charged the officers while holding a knife above his head. Two Wakefield officers discharged their guns striking him.

A thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Mr. Martin revealed that,  in the totality of the circumstances, Detective Christopher Grace was reasonable in his belief that he and Detective John Ryan and possibly other officers with them were in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury at the hands of Mr. Martin.  Further, Detective Grace was reasonable in his belief that there were no other means available to him to protect their lives other than by discharging two rounds from his department-issued service weapon.

Considering the totality of the circumstances, Detective Ryan also was reasonable in his belief that he, as well as Detective Grace and possibly the officers in the basement with them, were in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury at the hands of Mr. Martin.  Further, Detective Ryan was reasonable in his belief that there were no other means available to him to protect their lives and safety other than by discharging five rounds from his department-issued service weapon.

Based upon a full review of the facts and the applicable law,  no criminal charges are warranted.

Read the Full Report Here.

This report is being released in redacted form in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 3.4: Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel.  These redactions are made to protect the integrity of the criminal case currently pending against Mr. Martin as well as to ensure Mr. Martin’s right to a fair trial. Witness testimony and the names of the civilian witnesses have been redacted in part. Upon the conclusion of the prosecution, an unredacted report will be available.

Police reports and other additional documents relating to the pending criminal case against Mr. Martin are barred from public disclosure at this stage as these records constitute “investigatory materials necessarily compiled out of the public view by law enforcement or other investigatory officials the disclosure of which materials would probably so prejudice the possibility of effective law enforcement that such disclosure would not be in the public interest.” See G.L. c. 4, § 7, cl. 26 (exemption f).