DOUGLAS HAGERTY, AGE 35, OF LAKEVILLE is facing several charges after allegedly assaulting multiple Taunton Police officers with a knife Tuesday night, Sept. 26. (Photo courtesy Taunton Police Department)
TAUNTON — The Taunton Police Department has charged and is today releasing the identity of the suspect who allegedly assaulted police officers with a knife during an incident Tuesday night.
DOUGLAS HAGERTY, AGE 35, OF LAKEVILLE was charged with:
- Armed Assault with Intent to Murder
- Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (Three Counts)
- Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Two Counts)
- Malicious Damage to a Motor Vehicle (Two Counts)
- Failure to Stop for Police
- Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Resisting Arrest
HAGERTY is expected to be arraigned Wednesday at Taunton District Court.
At about 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, Taunton Police officers had pulled a vehicle over for a moving violation in the area of 716 County St. That motorist was cooperative with police. However, during the stop a second motorist, later identified as HAGERTY who was not affiliated with the stopped motorist, pulled alongside and began to shout at the officers.
HAGERTY then drove quickly away from the scene in a 2010 gray Honda Accord. Police did not pursue him at that time. A short time later, another Taunton Police officer on patrol in the area observed the Honda allegedly being operated in an unsafe and reckless manner on County Street. The officer initiated a traffic stop and HAGERTY stopped his vehicle. However, during the traffic stop, HAGERTY allegedly sped off nearly striking the officer with his vehicle.
During the subsequent pursuit, HAGERTY drove directly at a marked Taunton Police cruiser and struck another cruiser in the area of Cherry Street.
Officers pursued HAGERTY until he crashed the vehicle into an entryway of a multi-family home on West Britannia Street owned by a relative of HAGERTY. The suspect ran into the building and was pursued by officers.
As officers followed HAGERTY inside, he allegedly pulled out a knife and began waving it at the officers, resulting in slashing wounds to two officers.
Chief Walsh, who lives nearby, responded to the scene from his home along with several other officers who established a perimeter. While trying to apprehend HAGERTY, he allegedly swung his knife at Chief Walsh as officers entered the room, resulting in a puncture wound to the Chief’s abdomen.
Chief Walsh deployed a Taser on HAGERTY, and he was secured and placed in custody by the Chief and officers. HAGERTY was placed in custody at approximately 7 p.m., about 15 minutes after his initial encounter with police. He was taken to Morton Hospital to be treated for injuries to his hands. He has since been released from the hospital and remains in police custody.
One officer sustained serious slash wounds, including injuries to the neck, face and back. He was taken by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital for treatment. A second officer was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment for knife wounds to his arm. Chief Walsh was treated and released at the hospital. Another officer who sustained injuries during the apprehension of the suspect was also treated at the hospital and a fifth officer was evaluated at the hospital and was released.
These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
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