Burlington Officer's Actions In Fatal Shooting Deemed Reasonable

BURLINGTON, MA — A judge has ruled a fatal police shooting of a Burlington man last year reasonable, according to MassLive. Middlesex County Judge Shelby Smith released the decision on the officer-involved shooting last week.

Paul Courtemanche, 42, was shot by police in January 2022 after allegedly advancing on them with a knife. Police had responded to a 911 call Courtemanche made from the Lord Baron Apartments.

Courtemanche said he was having mental health issues and that he wasn't sure how he'd respond when police arrived.

Two officers got to the scene and were told to wait outside until more police came. While they were waiting, Courtemanche came out of the building with a knife and moved toward officers, according to police.

Courtemanche ignored commands to drop the weapon and ran toward officers. One of the officers shot Courtemanche with a less-than-lethal round, but it did not stop him. The other officer shot Courtemanche with his gun.

One officer suffered minor injuries. Both officers went to the hospital and were discharged.

Smith said in a statement that the court found that the initial decision to use a less-than-lethal round was "objectively reasonable upon Mr. Courtemanche’s initial approach." Smith also said that the round did not subdue Courtemanche who continued at a quick pace armed with a knife, according to MassLive.

"Any reasonable law enforcement officer in the same position would reasonably believe that she was in imminent danger of being seriously injured or killed," Smith reportedly said in the statement. "At that moment no reasonable alternative existed, except for the use of deadly force.”

See related: Man Shot By Burlington Police Dies