State Police Cruiser on Route 140 Shot at Overnight

By Dan Libon and Liz Taurasi

Massachusetts State Police have been searching the area near Rte. 140 in Mansfield near the Foxboro line, for a suspect who fired a gunshot, possibly from a muzzleloader rifle, at an MSP cruiser overnight.

The cruiser was being operated near Forbes Boulevard and Rte. 140 around 2:20 a.m. when the trooper reported a loud noise that came from behind the cruiser as he was approaching a traffic signal. The Trooper saw a large amount of white smoke in the vicinity of the are from where he heard this noise, just several feet from the cruiser.

The Trooper reversed direction and observed a white male wearing light colored clothing in the wood line. The person stood up and ran into the woods.

A subsequent search of the area off the highway led to the discovery of a black powder rifle and other items believed to have been dropped by this subject. Muzzleloader — or black powder — guns are often sold for hunting. An extensive search of the immediate area for the suspect was conducted by the State Police, Mansfield Police and Foxboro Police with negative results.

The trooper was not injured and no damage has been reported.

The search is being conducted by troopers from Troop H and State Police K-9 units with assistance from local police. The State Police Air Wing also responded.

The investigation is expected to continue during the day, with Mansfield Police Chief Ronald Sellon telling residents on Twitter to expected a contingent of state police resources in Mansfield.

If anyone was in that area and may have seen this person, or if they have any information in regard to this case, they are urged to call the State Police at 508-543-8550; the Foxboro Police at or 508-543-4343; or the Mansfield Police at 508-261-7301.