NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – A former deputy fire chief in New Bedford, Massachusetts, was fatally shot by police in a confrontation outside a bar in Fairhaven, the Bristol County District Attorney confirmed.
Paul Coderre, 55, drew a weapon during a response to a call about an intoxicated man, leading to an exchange of gunfire with police, according to District Attorney Thomas Quinn. No one else was seriously hurt, but an officer from the Acushnet Police Department was hit in the leg during the shooting and later released from the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Quinn stated that Coderre had been drinking throughout the afternoon and was involved in an altercation inside the bar prior to the shooting. Police tried to de-escalate the situation, including the use of a Taser, before Coderre fired his weapon and police returned fire.
The incident unfolded over several hours, with police making multiple attempts to negotiate with Coderre before the fatal exchange of gunfire. The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office will continue to investigate the case.
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell expressed his grief over the shooting, emphasizing the tragic nature of the event and expressing relief that the injured officer will recover. The details of the confrontation and the events leading up to it will be further examined by the authorities as the investigation moves forward.
In conclusion, a former deputy fire chief in New Bedford, Massachusetts, was shot and killed by police outside a bar in Fairhaven after drawing a weapon during a response to a call about an intoxicated man. The incident resulted in an exchange of gunfire, leaving the former deputy fire chief dead and an officer injured. The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office will continue to investigate the case, while New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell expressed grief over the shooting and relief that the injured officer will recover.