01/08/2026
On Wednesday, January 7th at approximately 11am there was an officer involved shooting at 53 Off South Street, Hinsdale, Massachusetts. One civilian and two officers were shot. The civilian succumbed to his injuries in the late afternoon of January 7th while at Berkshire Medical Center. Both officers who were shot, the Chief of the Hinsdale Police and a sergeant of the Hinsdale police, were transported to Berkshire Medical Center. The sergeant was then transported from Berkshire Medical Center to Albany Medical Center and continue to remain in their care. The sergeant’s injuries are serious but not life threatening.
The civilian’s identity will be released at a press conference occurring tomorrow, Friday January 9th, at 12pm at the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, 7 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The civilian’s family has respectfully requested extended time to contact loved ones prior to his identity being released to the public.
On Tuesday, January 6th at approximately 2:58pm (presumably Eastern Standard Time) the FBI’s National Threat Operation Center (NTOC) contacted the Dalton Command Center to report information regarding the civilian involved in the January 7th Hinsdale incident. The NTOC stated that the civilian placed a call to the Center making claims that sparked mental health concerns. The NTOC said the civilian communicated that he felt paranoia that law enforcement were listening to his phone calls; that he alleged he and his family were being attacked by organized crime and other groups; and the belief that someone was attempting to lure him into a machine in his basement that would, as stated to the NTOC, “damage the body and drain life and it [the machine] induces suicidal thoughts.” The civilian further stated that while he was not suicidal, he felt that police and others were attempting to harm him and that this was a situation requiring an urgent response. On the call, the civilian implied he was living in Dalton. The NTOC requested that the Dalton Police Department perform a well-being check that same day (January 6th). Dalton Police were unable to locate the civilian.
On Wednesday, a Be On the Look Out (BOLO) was issued for the civilian requesting that law enforcement conduct a well-being check should they come across him. (The civilian was NOT wanted by the FBI.) At approximately 9:59am, the Chief of the Hinsdale Police contacted the Dalton Communication Center regarding the BOLO. He noted that the civilian might be residing with family members at 53 Off South Street, Hinsdale. The Chief requested that Dalton police co-respond to the well-being check as the Hinsdale Police Department was short-staffed at the time.
At approximately 10:26am, the civilian placed a call to 911 and remained on the phone for 16 minutes. At this time, the civilian had locked himself in a bedroom located at the back, first floor of the residence. On the call he first expressed concern that people are after him but later stated he was fine and that he wished to negotiate with police and did not want to harm himself or anyone else. On the 911 call, someone could be heard in the background. It was later noted that it was one of the civilian’s juvenile family members trying to access the room that the civilian had sequestered himself in. Later in the call, the civilian once again became agitated. Towards the end of the 911 call, a sergeant of the Hinsdale police can be heard outside the bedroom door. The sergeant had a positive rapport with the civilian and the civilian agreed to speak with the sergeant. At this point, the 911 call was concluded.
A total of five police officers, including the Chief of the Hinsdale Police, a sergeant of the Hinsdale Police, a Hinsdale police officer, and two Dalton police officers, responded to 53 Off South Street, Hinsdale. When they arrived, the civilian had sequestered himself in the back bedroom. As stated above, the civilian agreed to speak through the door with the sergeant. The sergeant and civilian spoke for approximately 30 minutes. After about 30 minutes, the police determined it was necessary to bring the civilian into custody and that the door must be breeched in order to accomplish this. The door was breached by the sergeant who was immediately able to restrain the civilian against a wall. The civilian was holding a gun in one hand and continued to struggle, stating repeatedly “Just kill me.” Law enforcement continued to attempt to restrain him and were able to secure him face down on a bed in the room; however, the civilian was able to hold onto his gun and continued to struggle. The civilian discharged his weapon, shooting the sergeant in the hand. The bullet went through the sergeant’s hand and hit the Chief in his chest. The Chief was wearing a bulletproof vest. The bullet remained lodged in the vest. The struggle continued and an officer deployed a taser two times. The civilian was briefly subdued but then began to struggle again, continuing to express the wish that he be killed. At this time, a Hinsdale police officer deployed his firearm which hit the sergeant in the elbow in friendly fire. The same Hinsdale police officer deployed his firearm again and the civilian was hit in the head. Both law enforcement and the civilian were rendered aid and transferred to Berkshire Medical Center.
The Chief of the Hinsdale Police was examined at Berkshire Medical Center and released the same day. The Sergent was transferred to Albany Medical Center and remains in their care with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The civilian succumbed to his injuries late Wednesday afternoon while at Berkshire Medical Center.
All officers involved in the incident have been provided leave. Hinsdale has instated an acting Chief. Currently, the Hinsdale Police Department is supported by the Dalton Police and the Massachusetts State Police.
