Wilmington Police Officer Involved In Fatal Shooting In Lexington

Below is a press release from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office:

LEXINGTON, MA – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has confirmed the ongoing investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Lexington.

At approximately 1:33 p.m., Lexington Police received a 911 call from a resident of a Mason Street home requesting assistance because their son had injured himself with a knife.

Lexington Police arrived first on scene followed shortly after by members of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), who were in Lexington for Patriot’s Day events and responded to the call that went over the radio.

When Police arrived residents of the home were escorted out leaving the third resident a 26-year-old male inside the home alone. Shortly after police arrived on scene that man exited the home in possession of a large kitchen knife and advanced on officers. Less lethal force was used and was not effective.

The man allegedly continued to advance and was shot fatally by a Wilmington Police Officer assigned to NEMLEC.

The 26-year-old man died on scene.  The Wilmington Police Officer was transported to an area hospital as a precaution.

It is the statutory obligation of the District Attorney to investigate officer-involved shootings. In 2018, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office began the practice of requesting inquests for these fatal incidents.  An inquest is a judicial proceeding conducted for the purpose of finding the facts and circumstances surrounding a death and determining whether a crime occurred. Learn more here.

The identity of the deceased is not being released at this time pending family notifications.  The family has requested that the District Attorney’s Office convey their request for privacy at this time.

This is an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s Office.

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