Officer Involved Shooting Of Armed Subject On Pittsfield’s Glenwood Avenue

Press Release From The Pittsfield Police Department and the City of Pittsfield:

On Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at approximately, 10:53 PM, the Pittsfield Police Department Dispatch Center received a call from a resident at 12 Glenwood Avenue reporting that her son was “destroying” her house. Multiple units were dispatched to that location.

Initial arriving officers found the reporting party outside of the residence, reporting that the suspect was still in the residence and armed with a bat and that if officers made entry, he would go after them. Shortly thereafter, the suspect stated to officers on scene that he was armed and would shoot them.

Additional units and resources were dispatched to the scene. Officers began to establish a perimeter, make a plan to evacuate the adjoining residence and attempt to contact the suspect by phone.

At approximately 11:33 PM, while officers were still establishing the perimeter, the suspect exited the front entrance of the house armed with a knife and a broken golf club. Officers gave the suspect multiple commands to stop. When the suspect continued to advance, Sergeant Jacob Barbour engaged the suspect with multiple less-lethal shotgun rounds, with no noticeable effect. When the suspect continued to advance on the officers, Sergeant John (JP) Murphy fired on him with his Department issued sidearm twice, striking him once.

Officers on-scene immediately rendered aid to the suspect. He was transported to Berkshire Medical Center and was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect, subsequently identified as Kerry P. Robinson (52 years of age) of Pittsfield is under arrest on one charge of Armed Assault with Intent to Murder. Additional charges may be filed on the basis of the continuing investigation.

The Pittsfield Police Department requested that the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit take over the criminal investigation of this incident in the interest of transparency and a complete and thorough investigation. This investigation is in the preliminary stages and is on-going. The investigation is being conducted by members of the Pittsfield Police Department Detective Bureau, the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit, the Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force, Massachusetts State Police Ballistics Section, and Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab. A separate use of force investigation will be conducted by a Pittsfield Police Department Force Investigation Team, per Department Policy.

Anyone who witnessed any or all of this incident is asked to contact the Pittsfield Police Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705 or the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit at 413-499-1112.