Newton Group To Protest Police Shooting

NEWTON, MA — Activists are planning a protest at Newton police headquarters Wednesday after a knife-wielding man was shot and killed by officers this week.

On Tuesday afternoon the owner of a candy shop in Newton Highlands called 911 to report what the dispatcher interpreted as an attempted robbery, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. Newton police officers found the man with a knife and called for backup and a mental health clinician, she said. But she did not release details about what the man was doing or whether the clinician arrived.

Officers fired a bean bag and stun gun at the man to subdue him, but it didn't work, according to Ryan. Two Newton officers then shot the man, killing him, she said.

"Newton Police Department officers killed a member of our community who was reportedly in the midst of a mental health crisis," Defund NPD said in an email Tuesday night. "We are devastated, and we are angry.

The group said they want the city fund, accessible alternatives to calling the police when people experience mental health crises.

• Read more: 2 Newton Officers Fatally Shoot Man With Knife: Middlesex DA

The rally is set for 4 p.m. Wednesday.

For months, Defund NPD has been pushing to reallocate money from the Newton Police Department to schools, affordable housing and other social services.

The shooting comes as a city task force is wrapping up efforts to rethink the police department and its funding following the May death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. The task force was created in July and has since met weekly.

Previously:

• Newton Group Asks City To Cut Police Budget By 10 Percent
• Defund NPD To Ask Mayor To Declare Racism A Public Health Crisis
• Newton Police Draw Gun On A Former Northeastern Athletic Director
  
• Mayor Names 12 People To Newton Police Reimagining Task Force

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.