Woburn shooting leaves police officer, suspect dead

WOBURN, Mass. -- A shooting in Woburn left a veteran police officer and a robbery suspect dead Sunday night.

Woburn Police Officer John Maguire, 60, was shot and killed responding to an armed robbery.

Police said two suspects wearing masks and gloves entered the store on Washington Street shortly after 8 p.m. and held employees at gunpoint. The suspects stole jewelry and escaped.

Maguire was the second officer who responded to the 911 call.

Police said there was a foot chase. Maguire and one of the suspects exchanged fire.

One of the suspects was shot and killed.

Maguire was shot four times and later pronounced dead at Lahey Clinic. Maguire, a 34-year veteran, had scheduled to switch off of the night shift in several days.

“We do not have shootings in Woburn,” said Woburn Police Department Chief Philip Mahoney. “It’s not that type of community. And last night Officer Maguire lost his life defending it right in the middle of Washington Street - it was almost like the Wild West.”

Police arrested a 19-year-old man from Wakefield. He is charged with first degree murder and armed robbery.

A 51-year-old man was charged with accessory after the fact. Police believe he planned to drive the getaway car.

The suspect killed was a 57-year-old man, who police said fired the shots that killed Maguire.

Maguire leaves behind a wife of 23 years and two children.

It is not known whether Maguire was wearing a bullet-proof vest at the time of the shooting.

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