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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: STEVE O’CONNELL MARCH 21, 2008 (978) 745-6610, EXT. 5077
LYNN MAN IN STAND-OFF COMMITTED SUICIDE
An autopsy has concluded that the Lynn man who died after an eight-hour stand-off with Lynn and State Police Monday morning, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. The death of Robert Mangiafico, 37, of 27 Woodman Street, has been ruled a suicide by Acting Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Henry Nields. The autopsy also revealed that Mangiafico was shot three times in the torso by state police. Five negotiators from Lynn and State Police attempted to peacefully resolve the stand-off from approximately 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, until 5:07 the next morning. Police also tried several different less-than-lethal tactics before the situation came to an end. The stand-off began after police responded to a call reporting a serious domestic incident at Mangiafico’s address. Upon arrival police learned that he had fled the area, armed with a handgun. A short time later police located him on foot in the area of Center Street. A brief foot chase followed and officers found him on Tacoma Street. During the stand-off, Mangiafico displayed the handgun and threatened to harm himself, and also made several threatening gestures toward police. In addition, he claimed to have multiple hand grenades and plastic explosives on his person. He told police he had a pressure-activated device that would explode, and said that he was standing next to a 500 gallon oil tank, which would blow the whole block up. After several hours of negotiation, due to the approaching daylight and additional public safety concerns, the decision was made to move in. First, police fired pepper gas in his direction, immediately followed by less-than-lethal bean bags, which knocked him to his knees, and a flash bang distraction device was also deployed. As they approached, police heard a gunshot. They observed Mangiafico on his back, still moving, the gun in his hand with the barrel pointed toward approaching police officers. Only then did a state police officer discharge a weapon to protect himself and his fellow officers. Mangiafico was transported to Lynn Union Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:30 a.m. “My office has reviewed this tragic situation thoroughly, and I am completely satisfied that Lynn and State Police did an extraordinary job in trying to bring this situation to a peaceful end,” said Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett.
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