Crime & Safety
WATCH: DA Releases Motel 6 Shooting Footage; Investigation Says Police Response Was Right Call
The DA's office has determined that the use of deadly force by responding officers was justified.
BRAINTREE, MA — Officers were justified in their response during May's Motel 6 shooting, the Norfolk District Attorney's office confirmed.
DA Michael Morrissey released his report on the shooting Thursday morning, which resulted in Braintree officer Donald Delaney being sent to the hospital with a gun shot wound and the death of the shooter, Tizya Robinson.
On May 5, Braintree police received a notification from Boston police that Robinson was at the Braintree Motel 6 and they needed assistance issuing a restraining order. Police later learned he had an active kidnapping warrant from an incident in Boston.
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At 9 p.m., Delaney and two other officers went to the motel. After Robinson didn't respond to a knock, officers opened the door before realizing the security latch was on. Officers then announced they were outside. Robinson replied by asking who it was and the officers again said they were police. Robinson then opened fire through the door at the officers. Four shell casings from Robinson's gun were found in the room, with at least one bullet striking Delaney. Police returned fire, shooting through the door.
Evidence from the autopsy indicates that Robinson shot himself during the gunfire, but the fatal shot came from an officer. Morrissey said it was not possible to ascertain which of the officers caused the fatal wound. Robinson was later found dead in his room.
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During the incident, a regional SWAT team was activated. Motel guests were evacuated and the nearby MBTA station was closed.
In his findings, Morrissey determined that the police department acted within the scope of their employment and in accordance with the law, the officers were justified in their use of deadly force, the deadly force resulted in Robinson's death, and the responding officers have no criminal responsibility.
Motel 6 has seen had their operating license revoked. A Norfolk Superior Court judge denied an injunction requesting the license back.
Below is the full report:
Final Report on 05-05-2017 Braintree Police Shooting by DanLibon on Scribd
Images and video were provided by the Norfolk County District Attorney's office.
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