Officers responded for a well-being check at 32 Spooner Street in Easton after a man from Ashland called police saying his mother allegedly injected herself with a dangerous amount of insulin in an attempt to commit suicide, NBC10 Boston reports. This happened around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5, according to Easton Police Chief Keith Boone.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a 56-year-old woman, later identified as Marianne Griffiths, holding a weapon. She was with other family members who police escorted out of the house. Griffiths also allegedly threatened to shoot officers and herself, NBC10 Boston reports.
That was when an Easton Officer, concerned for their safety, fired a single shot at Griffiths, Boone said. She was later found dead inside the house and the weapon was determined to be a BB gun, NBC10 Boston reports.
Griffiths had been dealing with "long-term mental health issues and suicidal ideation," the outlet said citing prosecutors. The officer, whose name was not released. has since been placed on paid administrative leave as a result.
The investigation is ongoing.
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