North Shore reeling after police shooting

BEVERLY, Mass. (WHDH) -- The deadly confrontation between two police officers Friday night has shocked and saddened the North Shore and now many residents are talking about the incident. Saturday night a Hamilton town leader spoke out about the tragedy.

Many are wondering what prompted the violent fight between the two off-duty officers. Sergeant Kenneth Nagy allegedly shot Beverly Police Officer Jason Lantych in a Starbucks parking lot.

“Sad, you know, like right here, right next door, he drove right back in and they just found him dead in his car,” said Valerie Galiotzakis of the Garden City Pub.

Galiotzakis was in the kitchen of her restaurant when the incident occurred.

“Once you heard what happened, the next question was how did it come to this? What must have been going on in that guy’s head to lead to this,” said Mike Egan, a resident.

Owners at Nick’s Roast Beef down the road from the Starbucks said both men were regulars there, although they did not come in together.

“It’s too bad what happened, one was a family man and one was a regular officer, it’s too bad, especially for their families,” said Chris Nikolouzous of Nick’s Roast Beef.

Hamilton Board of Selectman Chair, Jennifer Scuteri, knew Sergeant Nagy and spoke out Saturday night. She said her community is still reeling over the events that unfolded.

“I think we’re just a despondent community right now and we’re just hoping to work through this,” said Scuteri.

When asked if these actions were out of character for Nagy she responded, “Yes, completely, just a really wonderful person and a real loss.”

Sergeant Nagy shot and killed himself after returning to the scene of the crime.

Officer Lantych has worked for the Beverly Police Department for 10 years and was a resource officer at Beverly High School and Beverly Middle School. He was promoted from the position a few years ago but parents said he was still involved with the children.

“They love him. He interacts with them, he plays sports with them down at the youth center,” said Dennis Soper Jr., a resident.

A student stopped by the Beverly Police Department to drop off a card for Officer Lantych.

“It’s really shocking because everyone in my class loves the guy. We wanted to know that people were there for him and I’m sure he knows that people are there for him but it’s nice to get something like that,” said Stephanie McKenna, a student.

All of the stores where the shooting occurred have reopened.

Residents are awaiting more details on what happened, they said the toughest part of this story is that Sergeant Nagy left behind two small children.

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