Authorities Identify Hamilton Man Shot, Killed By Beverly Police

Photo credit: WHDH/7News

A 49-year-old Hamilton man was shot and killed by Beverly police Saturday after authorities say he rammed his car into another vehicle and then into a police cruiser.

Christopher Whitmarsh was killed after being struck by a single shot fired by a Beverly police officer, according to multiple news sources.

Shortly after 3 p.m. Oct. 10, police responded to Blach Street behind the Cummings Center in Beverly for a report of a suicidal man, according to Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.

When officers arrived, they witnessed Whitmarsh twice back his GMC Envoy into a Toyota Highlander. Inside the Highlander, according to WCVB, was Whitmarsh’s wife and her friend.

Police ordered Whitmarsh to stop, but he then backed his car into a police cruiser twice. An officer fired a single shot through the vehicle’s window that struck Whitmarsh’s shoulder, according to Blodgett. Police performed first aid on Whitmarsh before he was taken to Beverly Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Per police protocol, the officer who fired the shot was placed on paid administrative leave. The district attorney’s office and state police are conducting a full investigation into the incident.