Yelling "kill or be killed," a Massachusetts man brandishing a replica firearm forced a Lakeview police officer and an off-duty state trooper to shoot him last week.
The Lakeview (MA) Police Department released video from the officer's body camera Tuesday showing the Sept. 29 incident.
The suspect has been identified as Timothy Hladik, 45. He is facing several charges.
Lakeville Police reported in a statement:
"At approximately 3:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, a Lakeville Police officer was monitoring traffic near the intersection of Precinct and Pickens streets. Hladik allegedly approached the officer and confronted him, displaying what appeared to be a handgun. The officer drew his service weapon, got out of the cruiser and retreated behind his cruiser, and ordered Hladik to drop the weapon multiple times. Hladik did not comply,
"During the confrontation, an off-duty Massachusetts state trooper was driving by and stopped to render assistance to the officer.
During the exchange, Hladik repeatedly used threatening language, and then allegedly took an aggressive stance and raised the weapon. At this time, fearing for their safety, both officers fired, striking Hladik. The officers secured the suspect’s weapon, which was determined to be a replica gun, and immediately rendered emergency medical aid to the man."
Lakeville Police Body Cam Footage - Sept. 29, 2023 from John Guilfoil Public Relations on Vimeo.
