Thursday, 4:30 PM
Massive search in Needham after man, woman beaten in home
Police orchestrated a stand-off in Needham center today after the killing of an elderly man nearby. They apprehended a suspect, but the Norfolk district attorney said afterwards he was not related to the case. (Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff) |
By Ralph Ranalli and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff
NEEDHAM -- An elderly man was killed and his daughter-in-law is in critical condition this afternoon after they were allegedly attacked by an irrigation worker at their Needham home with a bat-like object, police and prosecutors said.
After a massive search, a police dog led officers to William Dunn, 41, who was apprehended just before 4 p.m. in a wooded area near Route 128, said Norfolk District Attorney William R. Keating. He will appear Monday in Dedham District Court.
Dunn is accused of killing Robert Moore, 78, and attacking his daughter-in-law, who was rushed to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
"We are pleased to report that all indications are that she will be fully recovered from this attack," Keating said at a press conference today at Needham Police Headquarters.
Authorities said the suspect is a contractor who was hired to install a sprinkler system at the victim’s home on Elmwood Road. A law enforcement source with knowledge of the search said there was a confrontation and the contractor allegedly attacked the victims. The victim's grandson, Jamie Moore, called 911 at 12:49 p.m. to report the attack.
In an unrelated incident in Needham center, police responded to a report of a man with a gun in a restaurant. Officers had their guns drawn outside a CVS drugstore in Needham center across the street from Town Hall. The officers took cover behind a white minivan and other cars and kept their guns pointed at the doors of Stone Hearth Pizza on the corner of Great Plain Avenue.
All traffic was stopped in Needham center. At least three police cruisers parked in the middle of Great Plain Avenue, and several more officers ducked behind the vehicles with their guns drawn. Nearby about 15 more officers were at alert with handguns, automatic rifles, and shotguns.
Police took one man into custody but did not release additional details. Needham schools were locked down during the standoff.
