Not Just Kids Anymore. 45 Year Old With Toy Gun Killed By Police

“I thought I was doing the right thing.”  That is what Barbara Buckley of Brockton, Massachusetts said after police officers killed her husband.  Her husband of 20 years, Douglas Buckley, had been drinking. Barbara went to the police station about 12:30 a.m. on July 2, 2015, hoping they could intervene and take Douglas to the hospital. Barbara said that she told police that Douglas probably would not go quietly, but that he had no weapons, only some BB guns.

Barbara and Douglas Buckley. Family photo

Two officers arrived on the quiet block where the Buckley’s live, and saw Douglas outside of the house carrying what appeared to be a rifle. According to a statement from Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz, Douglas dropped the rifle, reached to his back and pulled out a handgun and pointed it at them. The officers opened fire, shooting Douglas in the right lower abdomen. He was taken to Signature Health Care Brockton Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 2 a.m.