Fitchburg police say they were forced to fire on a machete-wielding Eric Stafford.
FITCHBURG — Massachusetts state police are investigating a fatal shooting by Fitchburg police officers, who say they were forced to fire on a machete-wielding man.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. says two Fitchburg officers shot 21-year-old Eric Stafford to death at his Belmont Street home late Saturday night as he came at them with the machete. Early says Stafford's girlfriend called police to report that he was acting strange and may be armed.
The police officers' names haven't been released. Early says they first tried to subdue Stafford with less-lethal pepperballs, but that didn't stop him and he continued toward the officers with the machete.
The two officers have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, which is normal procedure.