A patrolman fired 5 shots at Musto after the suspect stabbed an officer and ignored orders to drop a knife.
SPRINGFIELD -- Westfield police were justified in their use of force in the fatal shooting of a suspect who stabbed an officer even after being hit multiple times by a stun gun, Hampden District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni said in a statement released Monday.
Douglas Musto, 27, of Southampton, was killed in the April 7 confrontation after police were summoned to 128 Elm Street for a report of a domestic disturbance.
Musto used a knife with a 31/8-inch blade to stab patrolman Francis Gaulin during a struggle, Mastroianni wrote. Another patrolman, James Renaudette, fired 5 shots -- 4 of which struck Musto -- after the suspect ignored orders to drop the knife.
"At the time each officer acted, each feared for the safety of his life and / or the life of another responding officer and the residents of 128 Elm St.," Mastroianni wrote.
This is a developing story. Details will be added as our reporting continues. The full statement released by the District Attorney is included below.
Hampden District Attorney ruling on police shooting of Douglas Musto