Man threatening to kill family members, hit with taser by Freetown Police

Freetown police officers, responding to a disturbance Wednesday night, used a Taser to subdue a distraught male armed with a large knife.

According to Freetown Police, Officers were called to an East Freetown home at about 10:45 p.m. to deal with a man threatening family members with a knife. Arriving officers were met outside of the home by family members and were informed that the man claimed to have a gun and would shoot the first officer that entered the home. Officers were also informed that an elderly woman was still inside the home.

Fearing for the safety of the elderly woman and the male, Sergeant Elton Ashley, accompanied by Patrolmen Patrick Lee and Nathan Melo, entered the home where they located the male in a bedroom. Upon seeing the officers, the male armed himself with a 9-inch knife and began threatening the officers. While one officer pointed his handgun at the male and shouted warnings, another officer successfully deploy his Taser and the male was then subdued and handcuffed.

The male was transported to a local hospital for treatment and subsequently transported to the Bristol County jail.

Police Chief Carlton E. Abbott, Jr. commended the officers stating, “They exercised courage and great restraint during this dangerous situation.”

The man, identified as Benjamin P. Richard, was charged with the following:

Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
Resisting Arrest