Beverly Police were responding to a call about a “suicidal man” on Balch Street when Whitmarsh was ramming his vehicle into a Toyota Highlander, authorities said.
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A witness told 7News that a police officer in the cruiser behind the one getting hit drew their gun and opened fire on the man in the SUV.
The Hamilton man
fatally shot by Beverly police Saturday has been identified as Christopher Whitmarsh, according to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.
Jesse Chagnon, 34, identified himself as Whitmarsh’s neighbor. “He began moving again, at which time the officer discharged his weapon, firing a single shot through the suspect’s driver-side window, striking him once in the shoulder”.
Police say he knew one of the passengers inside the vehicle he was ramming.
Alicia Guerrette, a Beverly resident, said her mother was trying to help out a female friend when Whitmarsh’s vehicle rammed into their SUV. Both the women and the two officers who were in the cruiser were taken to Beverly Hospital for evaluation.
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The incident is being investigated by the district attorney’s office and the State Police. That officer will be placed on administrative leave, pending a full investigation of the incident, said LeLacheur.
