SAUGUS — Saturday was a tragic day on Alfred Road and many in town have been left wondering how the fatal shooting of Stephanie Gerardi by police could have been prevented.
Gerardi, 38, was a mother of two young children. Gerardi’s sisters, Stacey and Deanna Gerardi, told The Boston Globe that their sister had been diagnosed as having bipolar and schizophrenic tendencies about 15 years ago, and has been committed several times under Section 12, a state law that allows authorities to hospitalize people with mental illnesses against their will.
That was the exact reason that Stacey said she called the police to her sister’s home at 3 Alfred Road. According to the Essex County District Attorney’s office, three Saugus police officers responded to a call reporting a woman in distress at 4:32 p.m. According to a GoFundMe set up by family friend, Jamie DiGiantommaso, the Saugus Police Department was not oblivious to Stephanie’s mental-health struggles.
“This is not the first time the police were called on to help Stephanie,” said DiGiantommaso. “They were familiar with her illness and, instead of helping Stephanie or ensuring she was placed in a facility that could help her, a police officer shot her three times to death in her home in front of her traumatized family.”
The District Attorney’s office said officers were met by Stephanie Gerardi, who was brandishing a knife, but her sister, Deanna, painted a different picture.
“My back was turned for a moment,” she told The Boston Globe “Stephanie had come walking down the hallway and approached the cops. She said, ‘How are you doing?’ and they said, ‘I’m OK. How are you doing, Stephanie?’ She said, ‘I’m great. You’re very nice-looking. Can I give you a hug?’”
This prompted officers to tell Stephanie to keep her distance and not to touch them. Stephanie’s sister believes this escalated the situation, which ended up with the 38-year-old making her way to the kitchen and grabbing a knife.
Deanna added that police drew weapons on her boyfriend and ordered him to the ground when he became upset about the shooting. Officers then told them they had to leave the premises.
The sisters described Gerardi as their protector to The Boston Globe. They said that she grabbed a knife for protection when she didn’t know why police were in her home. Stacey and Deanna can’t understand why lethal force was used.
According to the District Attorney’s office, the police officer who fired the fatal shots has been placed on administrative leave, which is the policy of the Saugus Police Department.
Saugus Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley said Saturday’s shooting has resulted in a great loss for the community.
“Any time a person loses their life in a situation like this is tragic,” said Riley. “It affects the family and friends so drastically for losing a loved one in any circumstance that takes them suddenly. My heart goes out to both the Gerardi family and the officer involved. I know that the Essex District Attorney’s Office and the Essex State Police Detective Unit are investigating and will share their findings.”
Riley added that this could be a moment that creates change.
“As tragic as this incident was, it could be a catalyst to review the mental health resources available to our police department and try to augment as needed,” she said.
