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Authorities Say Police Service Weapon Used In Cromwell Ave Shooting
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police say the gun used in the shooting on Cromwell Avenue was a Police issued service weapon.
A woman, whom authorities continue to refuse to identify, was shot at the home of Officer Miles Barber last Wednesday. She was transported to Berkshire Medical Center following surgery and airlifted to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.
The District Attorney's office has said that the preliminary investigation appears that the wound was self-inflicted. Pittsfield Police released a statement on Monday saying that the weapon used was the Glock Model 22, .40 caliber pistol that was issued to the 18-year veteran of the force.
The gun is now in custody of the Massachusetts State Police Firearms Identification Section pending ballistic testing.
Barber has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal administrative investigation. The State Police have taken over the investigation into the shooting.
Updated on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 2:12 p.m.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Preliminary evidence is pointing to a self-inflicted wound in the shooting incident that occurred Wednesday on Cromwell Avenue, say authorities.
At 3:09 Wednesday afternoon, the Pittsfield Police Department received a call reporting that an individual had sustained a gunshot wound at the home of an off-duty Pittsfield Police officer on Cromwell Avenue.
The individual injured in the shooting, identified only as a woman by authorities, is listed in critical but stable condition at Baystate Medical Center. She was airlifted to the Springfield hospital Wednesday evening following emergency surgery at Berkshire Medical Center.
According to a statement from the district attorney's office, evidence collected and preliminary interviews conducted reveal that the incident is being considered a case of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, however, the investigation is still in its early stages. The investigation remains active and no further details can be released at this time.
The investigation is being conducted by state police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office, the State Police Crime Scene Services and Ballistics Sections, forensic scientists assigned to the State Police Crime Laboratory. Members of the Pittsfield Police Department are also aiding, according to the statement, although Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Wynn said on Wednesday that the state police will be the lead on the investigation, and the Berkshire County sheriff's department.
Original post at 4:59 p.m., July 18, 2018: PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A woman was shot at the home of a city police officer on Wednesday.
The woman was taken to Berkshire Medical Center where she underwent surgery and is listed in stable condition, according to a statement from the district attorney's office.
Police have not released much in the way of details but say an off-duty officer called in the shooting on Cromwell Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.
"At approximately 3:09 in the afternoon we received a call in the dispatch center from an off-duty police officer reporting that he found a shooting incident at his residence," Police Chief Michael Wynn said at the scene.
According to land records, the home at 102 Cromwell Ave. is owned by Officer Miles J. Barber but Wynn would not confirm the identity of the homeowner nor the victim.
A very brief statement from the district attorney's office at about 6 p.m. confirmed only the information iBerkshires' gleaned from the scene and the update on the victim's status.
The woman's identity was not provided nor her relationship, if any, to Barber, or if he was the one who found her. It's also not clear what firearm was used, who owned it or how the shooting occurred. iBerkshires' has reached out to the DA's office with these questions but has been informed that no further information will be immediately released because it is an active investigation.
Wynn said state police are taking over the investigation since it involves a currently active officer within Pittsfield's ranks.
"Based on the fact that there is a law enforcement connection, we immediately requested assistance from the state police Berkshire detective unit and the DA's office. At this point, the ongoing investigation at this scene is being conducted by the state police," he said. "We will be opening a separate administrative investigation once they get through their preliminary."
Wynn said there is no current threat to the public. The chief also wouldn't confirm where the officer is now.
District Attorney Paul Caccaviello was also there but did not speak to the press.
