LYNN – Police fatally shot a 30-year-old city man who authorities said took an officer’s weapon during a struggle Thursday.Authorities identified the man as Denis Reynoso, 30, of 46 Newcastle St., according to a press release from Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office.”The Essex District Attorney’s Office will conduct an investigation of the use of fatal force as is protocol,” the statement said. “Findings of that investigation will be released to the public upon its completion.”Police responded to O’Callaghan Way at approximately 11:10 a.m. Thursday on a report of a man outside screaming and acting strangely, and officers were directed to 46 Newcastle St. in King’s Lynne Apartments, according to police.Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger said Thursday afternoon during a press conference at the scene that police encountered the suspect inside the apartment and a physical struggle ensued during which shots were fired. He said it appeared the suspect had taken the gun from an officer, and an officer shot and wounded the suspect.He said police were unsure whether Reynoso shot at police, and stressed the investigation was active and remains under investigation. Police said later in a press release that a struggle ensued during which shots were fired and the suspect was wounded. A police spokesperson could not be reached to clarify whether Reynoso had taken an officer’s weapon.Coppinger said in his press conference that officers gave first aid to Reynoso at the scene and that he was taken to Union Hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound to his midsection.Three officers involved in the incident – two of whom were inside the apartment and a third who was walking towards the apartment at the time of the alleged shooting – were treated and released from the hospital after receiving minor injuries, according to Coppinger.The officers have been placed on temporary paid administrative leave while the investigation continues in accordance with protocol, Coppinger said. He said police would not identify the officers involved.Coppinger said nobody else was injured in the incident and police are trying to determine who else may have been inside the apartment at the time of the alleged shooting.Neighbor Kheysha Torres told reporters she was in her kitchen when she heard and saw the suspect outside the apartment screaming and threatening a man in a gray car. She said the car sped away and the suspect ran inside the apartment. Torres said she heard a loud bang and then later heard another loud bang that she said were gunshots. She appeared unsure of how much time elapsed between the two apparent gunshots. But she said she did not see police until after the second shot when they swarmed into the area.She also said the incident was unusual for the quiet apartment complex.Another neighbor, Albert Casallas, agreed.”This place is quiet. This is like a surprise, you know?,” Casallas said. He said he was watching television inside his apartment when he noticed police cruisers outside in the street. He said the Reynoso worked for the National Guard, lived at the home with a woman and two children and liked to play basketball in the street.”He was a good kid,” said neighbor David DeLauri, who said he knew Reynoso from the neighborhood.A National Guard spokesperson could not be reached Thursday evening to confirm whether the man who died was employed by the guard. A message left on a phone number listed for a resident of the apartment was not returned Thursday evening.
