STORY UPDATE: Off Duty Officer Shot At and Assaulted by 3 Juveniles

CENTERVILLE- About two and a half months ago on December 31, 2006 (New Year’s Eve) Barnstable Police Officer John O’Hare was off-duty driving along in his personal vehicle after dark when someone aimed a weapon and fired upon him. 

After quickly assessing the situation Officer O’Hare learned that his vehicle had been struck by a paintball fired from a paint ball weapon like the one in the photo. Officer O’Hare immediately called the station for back up. 

A marked patrol unit quickly responded to the scene and assisted Officer O’Hare in apprehending 3 suspects.  The suspects turned out to be three juvenile boys and were reportedly released at the scene. 

According to one Barnstable Police representative, one of the boys may have received a summons relating to the incident. 

But the story now has been turned around. 

On 1/8/07 the Barnstable Police initiated an internal investigation into the incident after the parents of the juveniles filed allegations that it was Officer O’Hare that had assaulted and threatened their juvenile children.  As is department procedure, the case was assigned to the Professional Standards Office. 

Also, on 1/29/07 the parents sought private criminal complaints in Barnstable District Court against Officer O’Hare.  Officer O’Hare will need to be arraigned in the near future and the Barnstable Police are in consultation with the District Attorney’s Office regarding this matter. 

The internal investigation will resume after the matter is dealt with in district court. Officer O’Hare’s vehicle was the second one reportedly fired upon and hit by paintballs that evening. 

One of the boys has a case pending against him in Juvenile Court. Officer O’Hare has been assigned to desk duty and will returned to patrol when this matter is resolved.  

There is much more to this story and Hyannis News will be writing more on the subject of Juveniles and Paint Ball Assault Weapons.