DA Justifies Trooper's Fatal Shooting Of Man Who Stole Police Car

QUINCY, MA — The March fatal shooting of a 37-year-old by a state trooper in Quincy was determined to be justified, after Leach allegedly stole a police cruiser in Rockland, to later point a loaded patrol rifle at officers, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said Thursday.

Morrisey said the review of the deadly incident was now complete and the officer's actions were "justified based upon the totality of the circumstances and the potential for injury, damage, or death to police or civilian bystanders."

According to the statement, the DA's office said Eric Leach, 37, was killed in Quincy by police following a multi-town pursuit in a stolen police car after police say Leach used a handgun to rob a 7-11 store in Rockland around 6 a.m. on March 26.

After the initial robbery, the statement reads, "He eluded responding officers and eventually gained control of a Rockland police cruiser," that had been unlocked by officers who were attempting to nab him.

The DA's office says the cruiser became immobilized in Quincy, and Leach was forced to stop on the Burgin Parkway just after 7 a.m.

Morrissey said Leach refused to step out of the cruiser and freed a loaded police rifle from inside the stolen car.

Leach told officers, "I'm not coming out of this vehicle alive, and I'm going to kill myself and every cop her," according to Morrissey.

After attempting to drive away, Morrissey said Leach was stopped after the stolen cruiser's tires were blown out. Morrissey then said Leach was putting the rifle in his mouth and to his head before opening the passenger-side door with the gun.

Morrissey said after police tried to negotiate with Leach, he raised the rifle to eye level when he opened the door, prompting a trooper to fire at him and striking him.

Leach was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead at 10:15 a.m.

Morrissey stated Leach posed an "imminent threat" to police officers and the public, by showing a gun while robbing the convenience store, using the police cruiser as a deadly weapon, and arming himself with the police rifle, therefore finding the trooper's action justified.