PITTSFIELD, MA. (THECOUNT.COM) — Biagio Kauvil, a 27-year-old Berkshire County man, was shot and killed by police Wednesday morning during an officer-involved shooting at a residence in Pittsfield, according to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said Kauvil died following the incident, which occurred around 11 a.m. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials said only limited information can be released at this stage.
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Shugrue said he held a news conference earlier than he typically would in an officer-involved shooting investigation in order to address what he described as inaccurate information circulating on social media.
According to the district attorney, Kauvil was experiencing a severe mental health crisis in the days leading up to the shooting. Shugrue said Kauvil expressed beliefs that law enforcement and organized crime groups were listening to him and that someone was attempting to lure him into his home to drain his life using a machine.
The FBI Threat Operations Center contacted Dalton Police, prompting local law enforcement to attempt a welfare check. Officers initially did not locate Kauvil, but returned to the residence on Wednesday.
Shugrue said Kauvil called 911 five times that morning. Dispatchers reported hearing muffled banging sounds consistent with the phone being slammed down. At approximately 10:26 a.m., dispatchers were able to speak with Kauvil for about 16 minutes. During the call, Kauvil said he might be okay, and a female voice was heard in the background attempting to communicate with him.
Investigators later determined that Kauvil had confined himself inside a bedroom. Around 15 minutes into the 911 call, Kauvil indicated he was willing to speak with law enforcement inside the home, and the call ended.
At approximately 10:50 a.m., police requested an ambulance to transport Kauvil to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. Officers also requested limited radio traffic to avoid further agitating him.
Just before 11 a.m., police breached the bedroom door. Authorities said Kauvil was holding a firearm in his left hand. A struggle ensued on the bed as officers attempted to restrain him. During the struggle, Kauvil discharged the weapon. The bullet traveled through Sgt. Dom Crupi’s hand and struck Pittsfield Police Chief Shawn Boyne in the chest, where it was stopped by his ballistic vest.
Shugrue said Kauvil continued to shout, “Just kill me.” Officers deployed a Taser twice, briefly subduing him each time before he resumed struggling. A Hinsdale police officer then fired his weapon, unintentionally striking Sgt. Crupi in the elbow in what was described as friendly fire.
Six seconds later, that same officer fired a second round, striking Kauvil in the head. Officers immediately began providing medical aid, authorities said.
Sgt. Crupi was transported to Albany Medical Center and was released Friday. Chief Boyne was not reported to have life-threatening injuries.
The district attorney said Kauvil’s family had left the residence well before the incident unfolded. The entire encounter inside the bedroom occurred over approximately 46 seconds.
“This was a terrible tragedy, and everybody was put in a very bad situation,” Shugrue said. “It was volatile, and it happened quickly.”
Shugrue emphasized the role of mental health in law enforcement encounters, saying the incident underscores the need for mental health resources within the criminal justice system. He said officers involved in the incident are receiving mental health support.
The officer-involved shooting remains under investigation by state authorities.
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