Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett completed his investigation of the July 13, 2015 fatal police shooting of Rafael Suazo and released his findings today (attached).
“The investigation found that Mr. Suazo purposefully accelerated his Ford, drove straight at and struck Detective Stephen Emery. Detective Emery reasonably believed that he was in danger of serious injury or death and, therefore, bears no criminal responsibility for shooting Mr. Suazo in defense of himself,” District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said.
This investigation included a review of the following: interviews with civilian witnesses who were in the immediate area before, during and after the shooting; interviews with responding police officers, evidence found at the scene, surveillance footage from the area, radio transmissions, photos and videos, information from the Medical Examiner and State Police Crime Scene Services.
The investigation found that on July 13, 2015, Detective Emery was working undercover as part of the Lynn Police Drug Task Force. At approximately 11:30 am, Detective Emery observed a black Mercedes sedan on Grant Street waiting on the side of the road. Detective Emery requested back-up from Detective Michael Ferraro because the occupants of the Mercedes were behaving in a manner consistent with a buyer waiting for a drug dealer. A short time later, a Ford Escape, driven by Rafael Suazo approached and flashed the headlights at the Mercedes. The Mercedes followed the Ford onto Rock Avenue and both vehicles pulled over. Detective Emery observed the driver of the Mercedes exit his vehicle, approach the Ford and exchange items. Detective Ferraro then followed the Mercedes and Detective Emery followed the Ford onto Jefferson Street. The Ford stopped on the right side of the road and Detective Emery pulled over to the right side approximately 30 feet in front of the Ford. Detective Emery exited his vehicle and approached the Ford, holding his badge up and saying, “Police.” Mr. Suazo accelerated away from the curb and towards Detective Emery, who attempted to get out of the way of the Ford. As the Ford was hitting Detective Emery, he pulled his department issued firearm and fired one shot and then fell to the ground. The shot that Detective Emery fired went through the driver’s side windshield and struck Mr. Suazo in the head.
The Essex District Attorney’s Office has referred the matter to the Lynn Police Department.
(From Essex DA
