Police kill suspect after trooper struck

NEW BEDFORD, Mass.—A New Bedford man sought in a drug investigation was killed in a gunfight Thursday with a state police tactical unit.

A trooper wearing body armor was struck during the exchange, but not injured.

State police spokesman David Procopio said members of a tactical operations unit were attempting to enter an apartment on Shawmut Avenue at about 6 a.m. when the man shot at them through an interior wall.

The Plymouth County District Attorney’s office identified the man killed as 32-year-old Thomas Garnett, of New Bedford.

Procopio said a weapon was recovered near the dead man and a preliminary investigation found that he lived in the apartment and had fired the shots at police.

A woman and a child were inside the apartment when the gunfight happened, but were not hurt.

“This was an incredible incident precipitated by somebody being investigated for drug dealing with an illegal firearm and possibly more,“ said Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter.

Procopio said state police had a warrant for the raid and announced their presence before trying to enter the apartment.

As in all police-involved shootings, Procopio said the death will be investigated by a district attorney.

NBC 10 News contributed to this report