Massachusetts man sentenced for assaulting girlfriend and shooting at police

Heath Mullett, 46 years old of Norton, was sentenced today in the Fall River Superior Court for assaulting his girlfriend and shooting at a police tactical team, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

On November 17, 2016, the defendant, Heath Mullett lived in Norton with his girlfriend Suzanne Perry, and their four-month-old daughter. On this date the defendant became agitated and began screaming at his girlfriend and infant daughter. The defendant then began throwing items and struck Suzanne Perry. The defendant also retrieved a firearm from inside of the house.

Because of the defendant’s behavior, Ms. Perry summoned police through a 911 call during which police could hear a continuing tumultuous incident involving a handgun. When Police arrived they had communication with the defendant and he told police that they were “not taking him.” As a result, a tactical team arrived at the home. Ms. Perry and her daughter were safely removed from the home by first responding officers as they waited for the arrival of the additional officers. The defendant communicated that he would shoot at the officers, stating that if anyone came in to get him, it would end badly, and that he had 500 rounds of ammunition.

As efforts to stabilize the situation and remove the defendant from the house proceeded the defendant fired seven shots at the tactical team of officers outside of his house, through a second floor window. No officers were struck by the shots. The defendant was taken into custody and his handgun was recovered by police along with a large capacity magazine.

The Commonwealth, represented by First Assistant Patrick Bomberg and Assistant District Attorney Kyle McPherson, recommended a 5 to 10 year state prison sentence followed by a period of probation. The Defendant requested a 3 year state prison sentence with probation. Today, Judge Yessayan imposed a 4 to 6 year state prison sentence followed by 5 years of supervised probation. The conditions of probation include: a no contact/stay away order from both Suzanne Perry and the young child, a mental health and substance abuse evaluation, abstain from drugs with random testing, attend a Batterer’s Program, GPS with exclusion zones.

“ After assaulting his girlfriend, in the presence of a four month old infant, the defendant opened fire on a police tactical team that was called in to quell a potentially volatile situation,” District Attorney Quinn said. “ This case highlights the dangers that police officers face on a daily basis and is another frightening example of the random attacks on officers that are occurring too frequently. Police officers have families and emotions just like us. The defendant’s conduct is outrageous and he needs to be taken off the street to protect the police, his girlfriend and their infant child. “