DA: Police Sergeant Shoots Officer, Then Kills Self

02:39

February 25, 2012

The Essex County district attorney says Hamilton police Sgt. Ken Nagy, pictured, shot a police officer from Beverly Friday night, then returned to the scene and killed himself. (AP/Massachusetts State Police)

Investigators are trying to determine why an off-duty police sergeant shot and wounded an officer from a nearby town before returning to the scene to commit suicide.

Beverly Officer Jason Lantych was found shot several times in front of a Starbucks in Beverly Friday. He was in serious condition Friday night, but officials declined to discuss his condition Saturday.

A spokeswoman for Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett says off-duty Hamilton police Sgt. Ken Nagy shot Lantych and fled, but returned to the scene later Friday and fatally shot himself in his car as officers approached him.

Blodgett's office says Nagy and Lantych knew each other, but the motive for the shooting is unclear.

Beverly and Hamilton are towns about 5 miles apart in northeastern Massachusetts.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom

This program aired on February 25, 2012.