MSP Trooper who responded to domestic fight gets assaulted himself

An assault between two individuals ended up resulting in an assault on a State Trooper Friday.

According to Dave Procopio of the Massachusetts State Police, at approximately 12:05 p.m. a Massachusetts State Police Trooper assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section was on Lowell Street (Route 110) in Methuen when a motorist pulled over and reported that a man and woman were physically fighting in the middle of the street up the road. The Trooper responded to intervene, and located the man and woman on the street on the 500-block of Lowell Street near their vehicle, a 2007 Honda Civic that was pulled to the side of the road.

The Trooper began investigating the incident and asked the duo what happened. Neither was cooperative. During the interaction, the Trooper was assaulted by the suspects, who then fled into adjacent woods. Before the male fled, the Trooper detected a hard object inside the suspect’s jacket consistent with a firearm.

The Trooper pursued the suspects on foot. Several additional State Police patrols responded to assist. Both suspects were located and taken into custody. A witness subsequently reported seeing the male suspect throw an object into the Merrimack River, which flows behind the wooded area adjacent to Lowell Street.

Troopers transported the male and female to separate barracks, where each was booked on the following charges, as determined by the investigation into the incident.

The male, an 18-year-old Townsend resident, was charged with domestic assault and battery, assault and battery on a police officer, and disorderly conduct. His name is not being released pursuant to a state law that prohibits release of a domestic violence suspect’s name in order to protect the privacy of the victim.

The female, a 22-year-old Fitchburg resident, was charged with assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. Her name is not being released because she is a domestic violence victim.

A State Police K9 team located a semi-automatic handgun in the woods between Lowell Street and the Merrimack River.

The investigation is ongoing to determine whether it was the gun believed discarded by the male suspect during his attempt to flee.

The initial Trooper on scene sustained a shoulder injury during the incident and was examined and released from Lawrence General Hospital.