Officer Shot, Suspect Killed After Gunfire Erupts In Family Dollar: Police

SPENCER, MA — A suspect is dead and an officer is injured following an exchange of gunfire inside a dollar store at a shopping center on Tuesday evening in Spencer, according to police.

Law enforcement responding to a call on Tuesday found a person with a gunshot wound on Main Street, police said, and shortly afterward, a person matching the suspect's description was located near the Big Y plaza on West Main Street.

Officers approached the suspect, who took out a gun, fired at the officers and fled into a Family Dollar store, police said.

Officers evacuated the store and surrounding businesses, and requested more resources, including SWAT personnel, a drone and a K9, according to police.

SWAT team members eventually entered the store and found the suspect in a closed bathroom, police said, adding the person fired at officers, injuring one, and the SWAT personnel returned fire.

The injured officer, who is from the Millbury Police Department, was taken to the hospital and in stable condition as of Tuesday night, according to police.

"I would like to assure Spencer residents that there is no ongoing threat to public safety," Spencer Chief of Police Michael Befford said in a social media update.

Spencer police warned the public on social media around 6 p.m. to avoid the area of the plaza, citing an ongoing investigation.

A worker for the store told WCVB he heard apparent gunshots and saw a person with a gun.

"He yelled at me and I don't remember what he said, but as soon as he yelled at me, I just ran out the back door," the worker told WCVB. "It was terrifying. I've never experienced anything like that."

Route 9 was closed Tuesday evening between West Main Street and South Spencer Road due to the incident, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said in a social media post.