Accused Cape Cod Cop Killer Hid In Insulation, Opened Fire: DA

BARNSTABLE, MA — The man accused of murdering a Cape Cod police officer last month disassembled the gun and threw bullets in the toilet as officers closed in on him, according to a new report released Thursday. The Cape & Islands District Attorney's also found Thomas Latanowich hid $29,000 in the walls of the Barnstable residence where the shooting happened.

The incident unfolded April 12 as Yarmouth police Officer Sean Gannon, his K-9 Nero and six Barnstable and Yarmouth officers tried to arrest Latanowich at a Blueberry Lane residence in Marstons Mills. Latanowich was hiding behind insulation in the attic and shot Gannon and his K-9 after Gannon removed the insulation, according to the report.

"His fellow officers pulled him down through the opening in the closet ceiling and began to attend to him," the report found. "Everyone withdrew from the house and reinforced the perimeter."

Latanowich eventually surrendered. Gannon, who was shot in the head, was transported to Cape Cod Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Latanowich was charged with murder and mistreating a police dog.

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Photo: Thomas Latanowich. (Credit: Yarmouth Police Department)