Stuart was shot once in the mid-section and was rushed to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Watch video
Updates stories posted Wednesday at 10:53 a.m. and 1:52 p.m. and 7:51 p.m.
This story was reported by staff writers Jeanette DeForge, George Graham and Patrick Johnson. Photographs in the slideshow at right were taken by Graham, Johnson and staff photographers Mark M. Murray and Dave Roback.
LUDLOW — A daylong standoff with an armed suspect in the woods near 795 Center St. ended early Wednesday night when the suspect, identified by officials as retired Springfield police officer George Stuart, fired the weapon he was holding, Hampden County District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni said.
“The situation ended when at least two shots were fired. Both shots were fired from the weapon the individual, Mr. Stuart, was holding,” Mastroianni said Wednesday night.
Stuart was shot once in the mid-section and was rushed to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Mastroianni said he did not have any information about Stuart's condition.
When Stuart and at least two police officers were walking out of the woods, Stuart attempted to harm himself, and other officers intervened and attempted to prevent Stuart from hurting himself, Mastroianni said.
Police sources said Springfield Police Commissioner William Fitchet and Ludlow police Chief James McGowan were with Stuart. Mastroianni, reached about an hour after the shooting, said he did not have details about exactly what happened.
An ambulance, escorted by a Massachusetts State Police cruiser, rushed from the scene at approximately 7:32 p.m.
Just after 7 p.m., food and water was brought into the woods where police were negotiating with Stuart, 71. Soon after that, a throng of press was pushed back, and an ambulance arrived. Suddenly, there was the sound of multiple gunshots, and all police personnel ran into the woods. The ambulance went into the woods, about 100 yards behind the house.
Stuart is also a suspect in the fire that started the standoff, Mastroianni said.
“I knew we are dealing with the fire at his house. Ludlow police and state police and fire investigators are looking at it for potential charges,” Mastroianni said. “He clearly is a suspect.”
The fire, reported around 10:45 a.m., "fully engulfed" a building at the property, a town dispatcher said. The standoff situation began shortly thereafter. Reporters at the scene say the fire consumed a garage at 795 Center St.
The home at that address is owned by George W. and Rena J. Stuart, an employee at the Ludlow assessor's office said Wednesday.
Mastroianni said he did not know if Stuart’s wife was present at the standoff.
Stuart once taught marksmanship to other officers. Police officials could not immediately confirm that Stuart was the suspect involved in the standoff.
Stuart, who spent 30 years on the Springfield force, retired in 1997 as a sergeant. Twice he won competitions as the state's top combat police marksman of the year. He runs a security alarm installation business at his Ludlow home.
Neighbors on both Center Street and nearby Fox Hill Road said they were shocked that the incident would happen in their neighborhood.
"You never know what can happen anywhere, but it's pretty quiet out here," said David Rey of Center Street.
Other neighbors said the suspect was going through a divorce and had been living alone in the home for several weeks. "He was a nice man. We never had any problems," one neighbor said, describing the house as well-maintained, with a fish pond in backyard. "I never thought that things were this bad for him. This is shocking me."
The neighbor continued: "I hope that this comes out even, and that nothing happens to him. That he comes out and surrenders and get what he needs. He was a good neighbor."
During the standoff, Center Street was closed at the Rood Street junction, at Randall's Farm. Wilbraham police were assisting with traffic control. A state police helicopter was in the air overhead.
State police units – including K-9 and tactical units – were staging on Center Street and nearby Fox Hill Road Wednesday afternoon. A tactical unit from the Springfield police department was also at the scene.