Lowell police shoot son who threatened his mother with cleaver
By Globe Staff
A Lowell Police officer this morning shot a son who was allegedly wielding a meat cleaver and threatening his mother, police said.
Officers responded to the apartment on Moody Street at about 6:45 a.m. after receiving a 911 call, according to Police Superintendent Ken Lavallee.
Lavallee said he didn't know the suspect's exact age but believed he was a teenager. Neighbors said he was 14 years old.
Lavallee said the suspect ignored numerous orders to drop the cleaver, raising it over his head in a threatening manner. Officers determined the mother's life was in danger.
An officer fired a single shot. The suspect was taken to Lowell General Hospital and transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is in surgery and in critical condition, Lavallee said.
The suspect will be charged with several counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery. Lavallee said the officer who fired was placed on administrative leave, pending the results of an investigation.
But he said, "The preliminary investigation indicates the officer was justified in his actions."
