2014 Dartmouth police shooting death ruled lawful

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On October 23, 2014, Dartmouth Police officers were involved in the fatal police-involved shooting of Luis Roman, 25, of New Bedford. As a result, this office immediately began investigating the shooting to determine whether it was justifiable homicide or a criminal act. The investigation into the incident was led by Assistant District Attorney Stephen C. Nadeau and was conducted by members of the district attorney’s State Police Unit.

On the evening of the incident, Dartmouth Police responded to an apartment at 3 Ledgewood Boulevard shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday. Police had been dispatched to the apartment after receiving a 911 call describing a domestic dispute, where a male, later identified as 25-year-old Luis Roman of New Bedford, had allegedly entered into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment threatened her with a gun and damaged her television and computer.

When police arrived, Mr. Roman had already left the scene. At some point while officers were at the scene, Mr. Roman called the victim’s father and stated that he was coming back to the apartment, that he had a gun, and had enough ammunition for everyone.

When Roman returned to the apartment complex in his vehicle, he was approached by the officers. After a brief interaction with the officers, Roman got back into his car and locked the doors. When Roman repeatedly refused orders to exit the vehicle, a police sergeant tried to forcibly enter the car. Roman pulled a gun from the area of his waist. An officer seeing that Roman was armed and preparing to fire at the Sergeant, fired at Roman who was seated in the front driver’s seat. Roman fired two times at the Sergeant located at the driver’s side of his car. Roman was shot by an Officer at the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle.

Officers immediately removed Mr. Roman from the motor vehicle, rendered first aid, and performed CPR until an ambulance arrived on scene. Mr. Roman was pronounced deceased at the St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford a short time later.

The extensive investigation into the incident has determined that the shooting was lawful. The officer who fired at Mr. Roman reasonably concluded that Mr. Roman presented a clear, present, and imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury. The officer reasonably concluded that if he did not take immediate action, the Dartmouth Police Sergeant would be killed or seriously injured. Thus, based upon the quickly unfolding situation that presented itself, the officer was justified in using deadly force to prevent death or serious bodily injury to him or others. Specifically, it is reasonable to conclude that by using that deadly force, the Officer prevented Luis Roman from causing death or serious bodily injury to the Sergeant.

The full 22-page investigatory report is attached to this email and will also be available on the district attorney’s website (bristolda.com) later this afternoon.

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