Investigation into Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Newton Complete

Findings of Inquest into the Death of Michael Conlon Released

NEWTON – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that, following an inquest, the investigation into the fatal officer-involved shooting which resulted in the death of Michael Conlon has been closed.  In her findings, Judge Jeanmarie Carroll stated that “the court does not find that the actions of any of the Newton officers or supervisory responsibilities make them criminally responsible for the tragic death of Conlon or that they are otherwise criminally responsible.”  District Attorney Ryan has adopted the findings of the inquest and a certificate of no prosecution has been filed.

On January 5, 2021 at approximately 1:43 p.m., Newton Police received a 911 call from the owner of “Indulge!,” a candy store.  The owner made a report of a man with a knife in the store.  Two Newton Police Officers arrived on scene and located the 28-year-old male, who lived on the second floor of the building, holding a knife.

The police called for additional officers and a negotiator. A clinician with mental health expertise arrived on scene before the shooting but did not enter the building due to safety concerns given that the man was armed with a knife. Additional Newton Police officers arrived on scene as well as two Massachusetts State Police troopers.

Mr. Conlon fled to the third floor, followed by police.  There are two apartments on the third floor. A woman who resides on that floor of the building fled her apartment, allowing officers to enter her home creating distance from Mr. Conlon, who was in the hallway. Officers spoke with Mr. Conlon, responding to his requests, offering to contact his family and requesting that he drop the knife. Mr. Conlon became confrontational with police, arming himself with a fire extinguisher in addition to the knife. At one point Mr. Conlon placed the knife on the ground and Newton Police attempted to deploy less than lethal force. When that failed, Mr. Conlon grabbed the knife, ran towards the officer, holding the knife at shoulder level. As he started to bring the knife down in a stabbing motion towards the Newton Officer, two other Newton Police officers fired their service weapons and one of the Massachusetts State Police Troopers deployed his Taser. Conlon was struck multiple times and transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The inquest commenced on December 6, 2021 and concluded on January 27, 2022.  The Court heard testimony from nineteen witnesses and reviewed numerous exhibits. 

In December, 2018 to ensure a complete and unbiased review of fatal officer-involved shootings, District Attorney Ryan began the practice of requesting inquests for these incidents.   An inquest is a judicial proceeding conducted for the purpose of finding the facts and circumstances surrounding a death and determining whether a crime occurred. Although the proceeding is closed to the public, both the officer(s) involved in the shooting and the family of the decedent are allowed to be present and may participate as permitted by the court to ensure fairness.  At the conclusion of the inquest, the judge is required to issue detailed written findings which are then sent to the District Attorney who then decides whether to pursue criminal charges.  At the conclusion of the case the judge’s findings and the transcripts of the entire inquest proceeding are publicly available.  

The findings and the complete transcript of the inquest proceedings into the death of Michael Conlon can be found here: