Tyngsborough Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Assault on Police Officer in Chelmsford

CHELMSFORD – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Chelmsford Chief of Police James Spinney have announced that Michael Clark, 29, of Tyngsborough, pleaded guilty yesterday in Lowell Superior Court to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, larceny of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle to endanger, assault and battery on a police officer, receiving stolen property over $250 and larceny under $250 in connection with events that led to a non-fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred in Chelmsford in 2016.

Judge Robert Ullmann sentenced the defendant to five years in state prison followed by three years probation. Judge Ullmann ordered the defendant to undergo a mental health evaluation and complete any follow up treatment, to undergo a substance abuse evaluation and complete any follow up treatment, to consume no drugs or alcohol and be subject to random screens and to pay $700 in restitution.

At approximately 8:36 p.m., on July 16, 2016, a Tyngsborough police officer encountered a vehicle being operated by the defendant. The Tyngsborough police officer followed the vehicle down Route 3. The suspect vehicle left Route 3 near the Chelmsford line and a Chelmsford officer also 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 by Clark. Clark 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. The investigation into the shooting concluded that, in the totality of the circumstances, the officer was justified in the use of deadly force.

Clark sustained two gunshot wounds and was Med-flighted to Boston Medical Center.

The prosecutor assigned to this case was Assistant District Attorney Daniel Harren.