Lawrence Firefighter Held on No Bail After Confrontation with Police, Dangerousness Hearing Scheduled

9-7-17 10AM

A Lawrence Fire Lieutenant is being held with no bail early Tuesday morning after a confrontation with Lawrence police late Monday evening. A judge ordered the lieutenant held pending a 58A dangerousness hearing. 

The incident happened at about 12:30am Tuesday morning where police were responding to a call on South Boylston St. for a man with a gun making threats. 

Sources in the Lawrence Police say officers heard gunshots as they arrived. The lieutenant barricaded himself in his house where he sicked his dog on officers. Police shot the dog, who had surgery this morning is recovering fine. 

Police sources say the lieutenant pried open his gun safe after his wife refused to give him the keys. 

The lieutenant suffered a self inflicted gunshot wound to the leg and surrendered to police.

He is being held at Lawrence General Hospital under armed guard. 

Lawrence Fire Chief Moriarty said he could not comment on the incident as it is an ongoing investigation. One firefighter who spoke to The Valley Patriot off the record said that it was sad situation for everyone involved and and that the firefighter involved put a lot of “good people” in a very bad spot. 

The Lawrence fire lieutenant is being charged with; discharging firearm 500 ft. of building, disorderly conduct, threats to commit a crime, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Contrary to a prior report by police, a Lawrence police official told The Valley Patriot that at no time did the firefighter exchange gunfire with police.