Essex County DA: Fatal use of force justified in death of Danvers man

DANVERS, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The Essex County District Attorney's office has concluded that the Aug. 23 fatal use of force by a Danvers police officer was justified.

Danvers police responded to reports of an assault on Kirkbride Drive in which they allege Scott Kehoe was the assailant. Investigators say Kehoe told a friend he wanted to "commit suicide by cop" that night. This information was passed on to Danvers and Mass. State Police as they tried to place Kehoe under arrest.

Investigators claim Kehoe was armed with a knife and repeatedly ignored orders to drop it and get on the ground. After an unsuccessful attempt at using a K9 to subdue him, Kehoe threatened a state trooper and a Danvers officer. As Kehoe moved toward the Danvers officer, he discharged his weapon at the ground.

"This action put those officers in imminent danger thus justifying their use of deadly force to protect themselves and others," said District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett via press release.

Cox Media Group