The West Springfield chief said the program could begin by January 2027.
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — West Springfield Police Chief Jay Gearing said Friday that his department is moving toward body cameras after a man died in a police shooting during a domestic disturbance call two nights earlier.
The update came as state police detectives assigned to the Hampden district attorney’s office continued reviewing the shooting on George Street. The man, whose name had not been released, died after an officer fired during an encounter that police said involved multiple kitchen knives, an injured officer and an unsuccessful Taser deployment.
Officers were sent to George Street around 9:51 p.m. Wednesday after a report of a domestic disturbance involving a man and a woman. Gearing said officers gathered enough information to arrest the man on domestic violence charges. Police said the man then became combative while armed. “This knife caused injury, lacerations to one of my officers,” Gearing said. He said the officer was taken to the emergency room for treatment.
Investigators said officers tried to use a conducted energy weapon before the shooting, but it did not work. Police said an officer then discharged a service weapon, hitting the man. Officers gave medical aid before he was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Officials have not released the man’s age, hometown or the names of the officers involved.
Both officers involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave until the district attorney’s investigation is complete. The review is expected to determine whether the use of deadly force was justified and to examine the circumstances that led to the death. Officials said the findings and conclusions will be released publicly after the review is finalized.
Gearing said the department received a $110,000 state grant earlier this year to begin a body camera program. He said the cameras are expected to be operating by January 2027. “It’s going to give everyone a first-hand look at all calls, interactions that we are involved with on a daily basis,” Gearing said. He said video and audio would help show what officers saw and heard during calls.
The shooting left the George Street neighborhood quiet by Thursday after a heavy police response the night before. Authorities said the road later reopened, and no ongoing threat to the public was reported. Still, key details remained unknown Friday, including how long the encounter lasted and how many shots were fired.
The investigation remained active Friday. The next public milestone is expected to be the district attorney’s written findings on the shooting and the officer’s use of force.
Author note: Last updated April 24, 2026.