Cops: Man With Pellet Gun Shot By Hingham Officer

A prosecutor says a Hingham police officer shot a man who pointed what looked like a real handgun at him, but the weapon turned out to be a pellet gun.

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz says state police are investigating the shooting that occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Cruz says the man who was shot, 33-year-old Brian Middendorf of Hingham, is in critical condition at a hospital with thigh and arm wounds, but he's expected to survive.

The officer who shot Middendorf hasn't been named.

Cruz says Middendorf called police, then led officers on a car chase that ended when he got out of his vehicle and pointed the gun at the officers. One officer shot Middendorf.

Middendorf is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and other crimes.