This undated photo posted on the official Facebook page of the Yarmouth, Mass., Police Department shows officer Sean Gannon, shot to death on Thursday, April 12, 2018, while he and other officers were serving an arrest warrant at a home in Barnstable, Mass. (Yarmouth Police Department via AP)
BARNSTABLE, Mass. (AP) — A man described by authorities as a career criminal is heading to court to face a murder charge in the shooting death of a Massachusetts police officer.
Prosecutors say 29-year-old Thomas Latanowich was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Barnstable District Court in the death of Yarmouth Police K-9 Officer Sean Gannon.
Police say the 32-year-old Gannon was shot in Barnstable on Thursday while he and other officers were serving an arrest warrant at a home.
Gannon’s dog, Nero, was injured. Its condition was not immediately known.
Yarmouth Chief Frank Frederickson said the 8-year veteran, was a “wonderful young man” with a promising career ahead of him.
Gannon received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2007 from Westfield State University, where he served as a Resident Assistant and studied abroad.
Westfield State University President Ramon S. Torrecilha, Ph.D. issued the following statement on Friday:
“We were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Westfield State alumnus Officer Sean Gannon. Our sincere condolences to his wife, extended family, Yarmouth Police Department, and the many Westfield State University alumni and citizens of Massachusetts whom Sean positively impacted during his time here at Westfield State and his career in law enforcement. Our faculty and staff are privileged to have had a role in preparing Officer Gannon for his service-focused career that tragically came to an end yesterday.”
Latanowich, of Somerville, was taken into custody after an hour-long standoff. It could not immediately be determined if he has a lawyer.
– Amy Porter contributed to this story
