On Friday, June 21, Chief Judge Dennis Saylor of the Federal District Court of Massachusetts dismissed all claims against Newton and five Newton police officers connected to the shooting death of Michael Conlon in Newton Highlands in 2021. Previously, in May 2022, the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office closed its criminal investigation, saying, “The court does not find that the actions of any of the Newton officers or supervisory responsibilities make them criminally responsible for the tragic death of Conlon or that they are otherwise criminally responsible.”
On January 5, 2021, Newton Police were called to Indulge!, a candy store on Lincoln Street, after a 911 call from the store owner reported a man with a knife in the store. According to the police report, when officers arrived, Conlon ran up the stairs to the third floor of the building. Police reports further stated that on the third floor, Conlon had brandished the knife and had been swinging a fire extinguisher. Police stated that after unsuccessful attempts at de-escalation, police shot Conlon, then brought him to Newton Wellesley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
On June 24, 2024, reacting to the decision by Judge Saylor, Mayor Fuller said: “My heart continues to ache. This was a tragedy for the Conlon family as well as for all the Officers involved. Lethal force decisions are what every Police Officer prays they will never be forced to make and for which they train extensively to avoid. The Officers on scene that day have been fine members of the Newton Police Department – professional and compassionate.”
