Boston police: Man killed by FBI agent, cop during active terror probe

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Photo by:

Mark Garfinkel

Boston police officers and detectives investigate at the scene of a shooting Tuesday morning at 4600 Washington St. in Roslindale.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

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By:

Owen Boss

An armed man in his 20s being surveilled by the FBI counterterrorism unit was shot and killed by an FBI agent and a Boston police officer in Roslindale this morning, according to Boston Police Commissioner William Evans.

"He was on foot, under surveillance," Evans said. "The officers have been surveilling him and again they wanted to speak to him ... and he turned and our officers gave several commands for him to drop the weapon and unfortunately he came at the officers and they did what they were trained to do and that's never an easy decision for any officer to make."

One FBI agent and one BPD officer fired, FBI Special Agent in Charge Vincent B. Lisi said.

Evans said the suspect was wielding a large military-style black knife that he could have "done a lot of damage" with.

"I think our officers tried their best with the FBI to try to convince him to put down the knife but he didn't leave us a choice," Evans said. "It's an active investigation with the joint terrorism task force ... It's very fluid it's ongoing, but we have one male shot and as you can see it is a very active scene."

The suspect was declared dead at Brigham & Women's Hospital, Evans said.

"All we know is the joint terrorism task force was on this guy and when they confronted him to speak with him he turned and came at the officers and unfortunately he was shot dead," Evans said.

Boston police Lt. Mike McCarthy said the suspect is of Middle Eastern descent and had been under surveillance "for weeks," including this morning.

Authorities are currently not releasing his identity, McCarthy said.

An eyewitness who declined to give his name said the suspect was armed with a knife and had a "scabbard" when he lunged at police and was shot.

Dozens of police officers have swarmed the small shopping plaza and officers are seeking surveillance video from a nearby Dunkin' Donuts, employees said.

The FBI agent and officer involved are being monitored for stress, Evans said.

"I'm leaving all comments to the FBI and the Boston Police Department," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, who is at the scene. "It's an ongoing investigation so I'm not going to comment."

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Laurel J. Sweet contributed.