Knife‑wielding man shot and killed by police in Lexington is ID’d

LEXINGTON — The person fatally shot by a police officer in Lexington on April 18 has been identified as Colin Barthelemy, 26, of Lexington.

A Wilmington police officer assigned to the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council fatally shot the man in Lexington on Saturday after authorities said he advanced on officers while holding a large kitchen knife.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan held a press conference hours after the incident, stating that at about 1:40 p.m., a 911 call was placed by a father on Mason Street reporting that his son had injured himself with a knife.

Members of the Lexington Police Department arrived on scene first, followed shortly by NEMLEC officers who Ryan said were already in town for Patriots’ Day events — the annual regional celebration that includes reenactments, parades and ceremonies marking the opening battles of the American Revolution.

When officers arrived, they escorted two residents from the home, leaving the third resident — the 26‑year‑old man — inside alone.

“Shortly after the police had moved those other residents from the home and were setting up outside on the street, that 26-year-old man ran from the home in possession of a large kitchen knife and advanced on the officers,” Ryan said.

She said officers attempted to use less‑lethal force twice, but both attempts were ineffective.

“He continued to advance and was fatally shot by a Wilmington police officer assigned to NEMLEC,” Ryan said, adding that the man died on scene from his injuries.

There is an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s Office into the incident.