Brandon William Hampson, 55, was being sought in connection with a Suffolk County homicide when investigators tracked his vehicle to a motel and restaurant in Erving, officials said
ERVING, MA – A 55-year-old New York man wanted in connection with a recent Suffolk County homicide was shot and killed by Massachusetts law enforcement officers after officials say he wielded a sharp object, ignored repeated commands to drop it and charged toward officers outside an Erving motel and restaurant.
Brandon William Hampson, 55, of New York, was identified as the man killed in the officer-involved shooting, according to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
Officials said police in Suffolk County, New York, had been searching for a suspect wanted in connection with a recent homicide.
Investigators developed information indicating the suspect might be in Erving, Massachusetts.
His vehicle was subsequently located outside the French King Motel and Restaurant.
Members of the Massachusetts State Police and Northwestern District Anti-Crime Task Force responded to the location.
Officials said Hampson was wielding a sharp object when officers encountered him.
Officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon, but Hampson allegedly did not comply, according to the district attorney’s office.
Instead, officials said Hampson charged toward the officers.
The officers then discharged their department-issued firearms, striking him.
Hampson was transported to Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, where he was pronounced dead.
The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office did not identify the officers who fired their weapons or specify the type of sharp object Hampson allegedly possessed.
The release also did not provide details about the Suffolk County homicide or Hampson’s alleged connection to that killing beyond identifying him as the suspect being sought.
The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office is leading the investigation into the fatal police shooting at the request of the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office.
Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office are also investigating.
Officials said the outside agency was brought in to avoid any perceived conflict of interest and provide an independent review of the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Key Points
- Brandon William Hampson, 55, was being sought in connection with a recent Suffolk County, New York, homicide when investigators tracked him to Erving, Massachusetts.
- Officials say Hampson wielded a sharp object, ignored repeated commands to drop it and charged toward officers before they opened fire.
- Hampson died at a Greenfield hospital, and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting.