BOSTON — A man who shot two police officers responding to a report of a domestic disturbance was armed with a tactical shotgun and wearing body armor but didn’t have a gun license, authorities said Thursday.
The officers were responding to a 911 call from a home in the East Boston neighborhood at about 11 p.m. Wednesday about 33-year-old Kirk Figueroa threatening his roommate with a knife, Commissioner William Evans said.
Two officers entered the home and were shot by Figueroa, who was then shot and killed by other officers, Evans said. Figueroa was not licensed to have a gun in Massachusetts, police said.
The injured officers were identified as Richard Cintolo, a 27-year veteran, and Matt Morris, a 12-year veteran. Both underwent surgery and were in critical condition, but they are recovering, Evans said.
Mayor Marty Walsh said, “Thank God they will be going home sometime soon.”
Police originally said Figueroa was armed with an assault rifle, but Evans later described the weapon as a tactical shotgun. Tactical shotguns typically have shorter barrels and are capable of quickly firing several rounds.
“Domestic calls, as you know, are probably the most volatile. You never really know what you’re walking into,” Evans said. “And I think we see right now the dangers of our job.”
Police towed Figueroa’s car from outside his home Thursday morning. The vehicle was decorated with the name of a website called elitepolicing.org. On the site, a man who identifies himself as Kirk Figueroa said his company, Code Blue Protection Corp., provides police support, fugitive apprehension and extradition services, and armored car training.
