Investigation Into Police-Involved Shooting Fatality in Dartmouth

Massachusetts State Police detectives and prosecutors from this office are currently investigating a fatal police-involved shooting, which occurred late last night in the Town of Dartmouth.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that Dartmouth Police responded to an apartment at 3 Ledgewood Boulevard at shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday. Police had been dispatched to the apartment after receiving a 911 call regarding a domestic dispute, where a male, later identified as 25-year-old Luis Roman of New Bedford, had allegedly entered into his ex-girlfriend’ apartment and damaged her television and computer.

When police arrived, Mr. Roman had already left the scene. At some point while officers were taking statements from the female victim and her parents, Mr. Roman called the victim’s father asking if police were at the apartment. When he was told police were still on scene, he indicated he was coming back to the apartment and that he had his gun out, ammunition and said he wasn’t going back to jail.

Once Mr. Roman arrived back at the apartment complex, the preliminary investigation reveals that officers ordered Mr. Roman to exit his vehicle with his hands raised. Mr. Roman apparently started to get out of the vehicle, before then getting back inside. When officers approached the vehicle, Mr. Roman allegedly reached for and brandished one of two guns he was carrying. At some point during the incident, Mr. Roman fired two shots. Mr. Roman was shot and fatally wounded by the officer(s).

Officers immediately removed Mr. Roman from the motor vehicle, rendered first aid, and performed CPR until an ambulance arrived on scene. Mr. Roman was pronounced deceased at the St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford a short time later.

This investigation remains in its preliminary stages at this time, and this office will have no further comment at this time. Once a full investigation has been completed, this office will release its complete findings.

Contacts:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576

Ashley Bendiksen
Media Assistant
508-997-0711
774-929-5614