District Attorney Says Stoughton Police Officer Shot Man in Self-Defense

Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey has determined that a Stoughton officer shot his gun in self-defense during an incident on Feb. 5.

Citing video evidence and witness interviews, the 6-week review of the non-fatal shooting of Cannon Dawson revealed that Stoughton Officer acted reasonably and lawfully in discharging his weapon according to a statement from the District Attorney’s office.

In the statement, the D.A.’s office said the police officer, “acted properly throughout the incident employing an appropriate escalating use of force from initial verbal commands to physical contact to non-lethal means before eventually being confronted by an imminent deadly threat.”

In February, Dawson was involved in a two-car crash at the intersection of Brook and Central Streets. The operator of the other car contacted Stoughton Police after Dawson refused to provide any information aside from his name.

When an officer arrived and chose to prepare an accident report, Dawson refuse to give out his license and registration to police, despite warnings that refusal to do so would result in his arrest. Dawson continued to refuse to provide any information beyond his name, resisting attempts by police to arrest him.

The officer initially took his chemical spray in hand and warned Dawson that he would use it. Because of their positioning, the officer recognized that he could not spray the subject without the spray coming into contact with his own face. Dawson continued to struggle with the officer, who then un-holstered his department-issued Taser and provided a verbal warning. As a second officer arrived and joined the physical struggle, Dawson spun away and punched the first officer in the face.

The officer then fired the taser. Dawson spun around and fled across the road, barely avoiding collision with a passing vehicle. The officer pursued Dawson and discharged the Taser a second time, missing him. The foot pursuit continued toward a dead end. Dawson reached into his pocket and retrieved an object. He turned toward the officer but fell to the ground. He regained his feet, flipped open a knife held in his right hand, and stepped toward the officer. It was at this time that the officer drew his weapon and fired a single round. Dawson threw the knife as he fell. It was retrieved in a nearby snowbank.

Lifesaving medical treatment was immediately and successfully rendered.

This inquiry is closed with no expectation of further activity.