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Less Lethal Options for Today's LE Challenges - Sponsored by TASER International with Major Steve Ijames (ret.)

Mass. police shooting of man wielding machete a 'powerful illustration'

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Major Steve Ijames shares his views on the incident:

"This is a perfect example of a well executed approaching using less lethal options," says Ijames. "It's also a powerful illustration of the fact that less lethal options should not be considered an alternative to deadly force.

"The officers used beanbag rounds in an effort to prevent deadly escalation in the encounter, which is exactly what they are designed to do," he says. "Typically they are successful. In this instance, however, when the less lethal options did not end the threat, the officers wisely and justifiably resorted to deadly force. In my opinion, based on the information presented, this incident played out in a tactically and legally sound fashion."

Original Story:

Mass. Man Weilding Machete Fatally Shot by Police

BY AMANDA PINTO
The Boston Globe

Fall River police reported shooting and killing a man yesterday after he allegedly brandished a sword and refused to drop the weapon, even after he was fired upon with less-than- lethal beanbags.

Officers responded to a Danforth Street address about 5:15 p.m. to investigate a report of a man armed with a machete. When they arrived, they encountered the 33-year-old man carrying a sword.

The man, whose name was withheld pending notification of his family, ignored orders to drop his weapon, police said.

One or more officers shot the man with four beanbag rounds, which failed to stop his advances, police said.

When the man continued to approach police with his sword, he was shot several times with a handgun. Police said he was immediately transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police did not identify the officers involved in the shooting last night. An investigation of the altercation is underway, police said.

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