2 Mass. Police Officers Shot in Gun Battle with Suspect with Auto Pistol

By Luis Fieldman

Source masslive.com

Officials in Fall River say a police officer shot a man who fired a fully automatic pistol at police officers during a physical struggle shortly after midnight on Sunday.

The man was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital shortly after he arrived. The suspect shot at police using a Glock pistol with a switch, also known as a machine conversion device (MCD), and struck one officer in the elbow and another officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest in the abdomen, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn’s Office.

Officials identified Nigel Vaughn, 40, of Fall River, as the man killed.

Pictures of the incident taken from police body-worn cameras were released Sunday morning. In one photo, Vaughn, dressed in all green clothing, appears to be holding a handgun as he crouches on the ground with one officer on top of him and another two behind him.

Another photo appears to show the flash of the pistol’s muzzle as it fires in the direction of the police officers. A third photo appears to show a gun firing into an officer’s elbow from close range during the physical struggle, with Vaughn pointing the gun backwards as he is on his knees on the ground and an officer over him.

A fourth photo appears to show a spent ammunition casing popping out of a handgun held by Vaughn.

Officials also included photos of an officer’s bloody, wounded elbow, a damaged bullet-resistant vest and a gun laying in the snow labeled as belonging to Vaughn.

At about 12:15 a.m., police were called about a man in possession of a gun outside of 309 Linden Street. Police officers arrived to find a person outside of the address in a dark colored SUV, according to the district attorney’s office.

Due to the nature of the call, officers performed a stop-and-frisk of the man, who began to violently resist and a physical struggle ensued, officials said.

“During the physical struggle, the suspect produced a firearm,” officials said. “While on the ground the suspect began firing at police, striking one officer in the elbow and a second officer in the abdomen striking his bullet resistant vest.”

A third officer on the scene returned fire and struck the man, officials said.

Police rendered aid to the man and found a Glock pistol with an aftermarket, MCD modification that turns guns fully automatic.

All three officers were brought to the hospital after the shooting and have since been discharged, officials said.

Police said they interacted with Vaughn a short time before the shooting just before midnight also on Linden Street at Knight’s Gas Station. Police were called about a reported reckless driving in the parking lot as well as a possible physical altercation. When officers arrived they found Vaughn in the car with two other people. After a brief interaction, police told him to leave.

“Once again, this incident highlights the dangers police face in encounters with armed individuals,” District Attorney Tom Quinn said. “The suspect has a violent history and the officers were just doing their job on a brutally cold night trying to protect the community. Through the grace of God all of the officers lives were spared. I am grateful for their service and professionalism under the most difficult of circumstances.”

The State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the incident.

“We are deeply grateful that our officers are able to return home to their families tonight. Each day, they serve with dedication to protect our community. Incidents like this underscore the inherent risks of this profession and remind us how fortunate we are to be served by such courageous men and women. Fall River is proud to be protected by some of the finest police officers,” Fall River Police Chief Kelly Furtado said.

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