Update January 9, 2:50 p.m.: After the press conference, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office Chief of Operations Julia Sabourin issued the following press release:
On Friday, January 9th, Berkshire District Attorney Shugrue hosted a press conference to review the initial information available about the January 7th officer involved shooting in Hinsdale Massachusetts. The conference followed an extensive press release sent out by the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office on Thursday, January 8th. At the press conference, the District Attorney stated, “Prior to summarizing the investigation to this point, I want to stress that this investigation is in its preliminary stages. I recognize that as the incident involves law enforcement, it is critical that we communicate as much as possible.”
The civilian involved in the incident was Biagio Kauvil (27 years old: identified to be living in New York). Much of the information at today’s press conference echoed the information shared in a press release sent on Thursday, January 8th; however, information about 911 calls placed to dispatch was made available. The information is below:
On Wednesday, January 7th, between 9:42am and 9:57am there were five abandoned 911 calls placed (or returned to) by Mr. Kauvil. On one call there is an audible muffled banging consistent with the sound created by someone repeatedly hitting the phone receiver.
While officers were on scene, at approximately 10:26 a.m. Mr. Kauvil called 911 and spoke to dispatch further expressing paranoid thoughts, then stating that he might actually be ok. He was on the phone with 911 dispatch for approximately 16 minutes. During the call, a female can be heard in the background trying to make contact with Mr. Kauvil through what was later determined to be a bedroom door. Throughout the 911 call, Mr. Kauvil continued to express paranoid thoughts and became agitated and argumentative with family members who were still in the house. Approximately 15 minutes into the call, law enforcement can be heard speaking to Mr. Kauvil through the door. At this time, Mr. Kauvil stated he was willing to speak with the law enforcement in the house and the 911 call ended.
At the conclusion of the press conference, District Attorney Shugrue said, “At this time, it is far too soon to comment on if charges will be brought forward. We will work to bring the investigation to a conclusion has soon as possible; however, I cannot comment nor do I know what that timeline will be.”
The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office will announce the findings of the investigation when it is completed.
Update January 9, 1 p.m.: At a press conference held on Friday, January 9, Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said that Biagio Kauvil, 27, was killed in the incident.
He added that both police officers are expected to recover.
Original article below:
Hinsdale — According to Berkshire District Attorney’s Office Chief of Operations Julia Sabourin, the person who was shot in an incident on Wednesday, January 7 has died.
According to Sabourin, at around 11 a.m. on January 7, the incident, where two officers and one person were shot, took place at 53 Off South Street in Hinsdale.
According to various media reports the officers that were shot were the Hinsdale Chief of Police Shawn Boyne, and Sgt. Dominick Crupi.
Sabourin wrote that both Chief Boyne and Sgt. Crupi were both transported to Berkshire Medical Center after the incident, and Sgt. Crupi was eventually transported to Albany Medical Center.
She wrote that Sgt. Crupi’s injuries “are serious but not life threatening” and that both officers are continuing to receive medical care.
The identity of the person who died in the incident has not been released, but will be released at a press conference by the Berkshire County District Attorney’s office on Friday, January 9.
The following information was written in a press release by Sabourin:
On Tuesday, January 6th at approximately 2:58 p.m. the FBI’s National Threat Operation Center (NTOC) contacted the Dalton Command Center to report information regarding the civilian involved in the January 7th Hinsdale incident. The NTOC stated that the civilian placed a call to the Center making claims that sparked mental health concerns. The NTOC said the civilian communicated that he felt paranoia that law enforcement were listening to his phone calls; that he alleged he and his family were being attacked by organized crime and other groups; and the belief that someone was attempting to lure him into a machine in his basement that would, as stated to the NTOC, “damage the body and drain life and it [the machine] induces suicidal thoughts.” The civilian further stated that while he was not suicidal, he felt that police and others were attempting to harm him and that this was a situation requiring an urgent response. On the call, the civilian implied he was living in Dalton. The NTOC requested that the Dalton Police Department perform a well-being check that same day (January 6th). Dalton Police were unable to locate the civilian.
On Wednesday, a Be On the Look Out (BOLO) was issued for the civilian requesting that law enforcement conduct a well-being check should they come across him. (The civilian was NOT wanted by the FBI.) At approximately 9:59am, the Chief of the Hinsdale Police contacted the Dalton Communication Center regarding the BOLO. He noted that the civilian might be residing with family members at 53 Off South Street, Hinsdale. The Chief requested that Dalton police co-respond to the well-being check as the Hinsdale Police Department was short-staffed at the time.
At approximately 10:26am, the civilian placed a call to 911 and remained on the phone for 16 minutes. At this time, the civilian had locked himself in a bedroom located at the back, first floor of the residence. On the call he first expressed concern that people are after him but later stated he was fine and that he wished to negotiate with police and did not want to harm himself or anyone else. On the 911 call, someone could be heard in the background. It was later noted that it was one of the civilian’s juvenile family members trying to access the room that the civilian had sequestered himself in. Later in the call, the civilian once again became agitated. Towards the end of the 911 call, a sergeant of the Hinsdale police can be heard outside the bedroom door. The sergeant had a positive rapport with the civilian and the civilian agreed to speak with the sergeant. At this point, the 911 call was concluded.
A total of five police officers, including the Chief of the Hinsdale Police, a sergeant of the Hinsdale Police, a Hinsdale police officer, and two Dalton police officers, responded to 53 Off South Street, Hinsdale. When they arrived, the civilian had sequestered himself in the back bedroom. As stated above, the civilian agreed to speak through the door with the sergeant. The sergeant and civilian spoke for approximately 30 minutes. After about 30 minutes, the police determined it was necessary to bring the civilian into custody and that the door must be breeched in order to accomplish this. The door was breached by the sergeant who was immediately able to restrain the civilian against a wall. The civilian was holding a gun in one hand and continued to struggle, stating repeatedly “Just kill me.” Law enforcement continued to attempt to restrain him and were able to secure him face down on a bed in the room; however, the civilian was able to hold onto his gun and continued to struggle. The civilian discharged his weapon, shooting the sergeant in the hand. The bullet went through the sergeant’s hand and hit the Chief in his chest. The Chief was wearing a bulletproof vest. The bullet remained lodged in the vest. The struggle continued and an officer deployed a taser two times. The civilian was briefly subdued but then began to struggle again, continuing to express the wish that he be killed. At this time, a Hinsdale police officer deployed his firearm which hit the sergeant in the elbow in friendly fire. The same Hinsdale police officer deployed his firearm again and the civilian was hit in the head. Both law enforcement and the civilian were rendered aid and transferred to Berkshire Medical Center.
The Chief of the Hinsdale Police was examined at Berkshire Medical Center and released the same day. The Sergeant was transferred to Albany Medical Center and remains in their care with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The civilian succumbed to his injuries late Wednesday afternoon while at Berkshire Medical Center.
All officers involved in the incident have been provided leave. Hinsdale has instated an acting Chief. Currently, the Hinsdale Police Department is supported by the Dalton Police and the Massachusetts State Police. All questions regarding officer status should be directed to their respective departments.
The investigation remains active.
