November 15, 2018
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tim Connolly 508-688-5565
AUBURN — An armed New Hampshire man who was shot by Auburn police officers yesterday, has died, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Joseph Loughery, 59, of Dublin, N.H., was shot by police after he ignored repeated commands by the officers to disarm. Mr. Loughery was approached by officers at about 1:15 p.m. yesterday while he was sitting in a pickup truck in the parking area of the Shell gas station at 380 Southbridge St.
Mr. Loughery was holding a sawed-off .22-calliber rifle and moving his arms while officers shouted for him to disarm. Witnesses heard and video captured the officers repeatedly shouting, “drop the gun,” “don’t do it,” and “let us help you.” The officers were not injured in the confrontation.
Mr. Loughery was transported to the UMass Memorial Medical in Worcester where he was later pronounced dead. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is expected to perform an autopsy today.
A relative of Mr. Loughery had called Dublin Police at about 11 a.m. requesting a welfare check on Mr. Loughery. The relative had earlier contacted the Dublin Police indicating that Mr. Loughery was missing. Using a cell phone application, the relative was able to track the vehicle to Auburn. Auburn Police were notified to be on the lookout for the pickup truck.
The officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave based on department policy while the investigation continues.
The State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, State Police Crime Scene Services, State Police Firearms Identification Section, State Police Crime Lab, and Auburn Police are investigating.