Suspect Shot By Officer In Chelmsford Is In 'Grave Condition'

The Middlesex County District Attorney's office says it is investigating an officer-involved shooting Saturday night in Chelmsford that left a 27-year-old Tyngsborough man in "grave condition."

A Tyngsborough officer attempted to pull over a vehicle shortly after 8:30 p.m. Saturday for a routine traffic stop, according to District Attorney Marian Ryan. When the driver failed to stop, police chased him down Route 3 into Chelmsford.

The suspect eventually entered the parking lot of Sully's Ice Cream Stand in Chelmsford where he briefly stopped.

Ryan said the suspect backed up as a Chelmsford sergeant approached the vehicle. As the suspect began to drive away, he dragged the sergeant several yards. According to the DA, the Tyngsborough officer shot the driver twice because he feared for the safety of the sergeant.

The suspect was flown to a Boston-area hospital for treatment. The sergeant was brought to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries and was later released.

The DA's office says the Tyngsborough officer who shot the suspect is now on administrative leave in accordance with department policy.

The DA's office says the Chelmsford and Tyngsborough police departments are both participating in the investigation.