Middlesex DA, Police Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting In Lowell

Two Lowell police officers have been placed on administrative leave as authorities investigate the killing of a man authorities say was armed with a meat cleaver.

According to Middlesex district attorney's office, 39-year-old Jose Perez, of Lowell, died after officers shot him Saturday evening.

Middlesex District Attorney Miriam Ryan said Perez called 911 saying he was going to "kill everyone" and asked officers to come to a home on Cambridge Street at around 11 p.m. Another emergency call was placed around the same time, authorities said, by a woman who said a man was "out of control" and threatening to kill people.

When officers arrived, Perez was allegedly wielding a meat cleaver and a large knife and refused orders to drop his weapons, Ryan said. According to the officers, Perez then advanced upon them before they fired their weapons.

Authorities say Perez was treated on scene and transported to Lowell General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Middlesex district attorney's office and Lowell police are investigating the shooting, and per the police department's protocol, the officers have been placed on leave until the investigation is complete.

With additional reporting from The Associated Press