Accused Massachusetts Cop Killer Pleads Not Guilty

BARNSTABLE, MA — The man police said shot and killed a Cape Cod officer Thursday is a career criminal with more than 100 charges on his record. Thomas Latanowich, 29, was arrested and charged with murder. Police said Latanowich shot Yarmouth police K-9 officer Sean Gannon and his dog Nero as officers executed a search warrant in Barnstable. Gannon was killed. The dog was also shot and in stable condition Friday.

Latanowich was charged with murder and mistreating a police dog. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered held without bail following a hearing in Barnstable District Court. A crowd gathered outside the courthouse heckled Latanowich and hurled obscenities at him.

Officers conducted the search warrant raid in Barnstable on Blueberry Lane in the village of Marstons Mills at about 2:30 p.m. Latanowich has a criminal record that includes more than 100 charges.

Gannon and his dog were searching the attic when Latanowich opened fire, according to Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe. A standoff ensued and Latanowich surrendered after about two hours, O'Keefe added.

Latanowich is due back in court June 26 for a probable cause hearing. He is no stranger to the Cape Cod court system. Yarmouth police Lt. Steven Xiarhos called him a "notorious and violent criminal."

One of Latanowich's most recent arrests was in December 2016 when police said he stalked a man and stabbed him in Hyannis. His record also includes a variety of drug and assault charges.

Previous:

• Cape Cod Police Officer Gunned Down
• Somerville 'Career Criminal' Arrested For Killing Yarmouth Cop
• Slain Cape Cod Police Officer's Dog 'Stable' After Shooting
• Cape Cod Police Officer Murder: Massachusetts 'Heartbroken'
• Cape Cod Career Criminal (111 Priors) Arrested in Stabbing: PD

Photo: Thomas Latanowich, arrested April 12, 2018, on charges he shot and killed Yarmouth police Officer Sean Gannon in Barnstable. (Credit: Yarmouth Police Department)