Tyngsborough Man Charged in Chelmsford Officer-Involved Shooting
CHELMSFORD – Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, Chelmsford Chief of Police James Spinney and Tyngsborough Chief of Police Richard Howe have announced that Michael Clark, 27, of Tyngsborough has been charged in connection with events that occurred in Chelmsford on July 16.
Clark has been charged with assault with intent to murder; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (motor vehicle); operating negligently to endanger; assault and battery on a police officer; resisting arrest; receiving a stolen motor vehicle; receiving stolen property over $250 and failure to stop for a police officer.
Clark is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. at Boston Medical Center, 840 Harrison Avenue, Boston providing his medical condition allows. Only one pool camera and one print reporter will be allowed in the room. Please contact Meghan Kelly at Meghan.Kelly@state.ma.us in Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s Communications Office to confirm attendance.
The investigation into the facts and circumstances of the officer-involved shooting that took place Saturday night in Chelmsford remains open and active.
At approximately 8:36 p.m., a Tyngsborough police officer encountered the suspect vehicle. The Tyngsborough police officer followed the vehicle down Route 3. The suspect vehicle left Route 3 in Chelmsford and a Chelmsford officer attempted to stop the suspect vehicle.
Later investigation revealed that at approximately 7:51 p.m. on Saturday, July 16 a gray Buick LeSabre was reported stolen from the Lowell General Hospital parking lot. Clark allegedly drove that vehicle to Nashua New, Hampshire and made several fraudulent purchases with the vehicle owner’s credit cards.
The vehicle entered the parking lot at Sully’s Ice Cream Stand on Graniteville Road in Chelmsford. When a Chelmsford sergeant approached the vehicle the suspect backed up dragging the officer several yards.
Fearing for the safety of the Chelmsford officer, a Tyngsborough officer fired his service weapon striking the suspect.
Clark sustained two gunshot wounds and was Med-flighted to Boston Medical Center.
The Chelmsford officer sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local-area hospital and was later released.
The Tyngsborough police officer who discharged his weapon is currently on administrative leave per department policy.
This is an open and active investigation being conducted by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Tyngsborough Police Department and the Chelmsford Police Department.