Knife-wielding suspect facing charges after five officers injured in Taunton

TAUNTON — The Taunton Police Department reports that five officers sustained injuries as a result of an incident on Tuesday night involving a knife-wielding suspect. A Taser device was deployed, subduing the suspect, who will now face a number of felony charges.

At about 6:45 p.m., Taunton Police officers had pulled a vehicle over for a moving violation in the area of 716 County St. That motorist was cooperative with police. However, during the stop a second motorist — not affiliated with the stopped motorist — pulled alongside and began to shout at the officers.

That individual, an adult male, then sped away from the scene in a 2010 gray Honda Accord. Police did not pursue him.

A short time later, another Taunton Police officer on patrol in the area observed the Honda allegedly being operated in an unsafe and reckless manner. The officer made a traffic stop on the suspect’s vehicle, but the driver fled from police, nearly striking an officer who was approaching his vehicle during the stop.

Under the control of a police supervisor monitoring the situation, the officer pursued the suspect until he crashed the vehicle into an entryway of a multi-family dwelling on West Britannia Street, which was later determined to be the suspect’s residence. The suspect ran into the building and was pursued by officers.

As officers followed the suspect inside, the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and began waving it at the officers, resulting in slashing wounds to two officers. Chief Walsh, who lives nearby, responded to the scene from his home. The suspect also allegedly swung his knife at Chief Walsh, resulting in a puncture wound to the Chief’s torso.

Chief Walsh deployed his Taser on the suspect, and the suspect was secured and placed in custody by the Chief and officers. The suspect was placed in custody at approximately 7 p.m., about 15 minutes after his initial encounter with police.

One officer sustained serious slash wounds, including injuries to the face and back of his head. He was taken by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital for treatment. A second officer was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment for knife wounds. Chief Walsh was treated and released at Morton Hospital. Two additional officers sustained injuries during the apprehension of the suspect and were treated Tuesday evening at Morton Hospital.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Douglas Hagerty, 35, of Taunton will be arraigned Wednesday morning in Taunton District Court on three counts of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, two counts of Malicious Damage to a Motor Vehicle, and one count each of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon-Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Armed Assault with Intent to Murder, Resisting Arrest, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Failure to Stop for Police.