Man shot, killed by state trooper in Worcester

WORCESTER, Mass. (WHDH) -- A 43-year-old Worcester man, Victor Devilla, was shot and killed in Worcester by a state trooper Wednesday night. Police are now searching for the woman that fled the scene.

The shooting happened some time after midnight at Chandler and Irving streets. Police said the man was driving a stolen car and heading right for the trooper when the trooper opened fire, firing a single shot and hitting the suspect in the chest.

“The trooper was standing in front of the suspect vehicle,” State Police spokesperson David Procopio said. “And the evidence indicates that the vehicle definitely was in drive and possibly driving toward him, putting him in fear for his safety.”

"Evidence indicates that the vehicle at that point information drive and possibly driving towards him putting him in fear for his safety. The trooper discharged what we believe to be one round from the service weapon and he entered the vehicle and struck the driver," said Procopio.

Investigators were on scene all night. Investigators said the trooper is a rookie who just graduated from the police academy in the spring. They said the trooper tried to pull the car over after running the license plate and seeing that it had been reported stolen.

“It had been stolen Tuesday night in the city of Worcester,” Procopio said.

Police say when the suspect started driving evasively, the trooper left his cruiser, drew his weapon, and fired a single shot when the car continued toward him.

“We know this because the vehicle ended up crashing into a pole after the shooting and remained with its gear in drive,” Procopio said.

“I saw the car rolling forward a little bit. I heard "stop." Then I heard the bang. Boom,” said Brian Trigiano.

Brian Trigiano was about to go to sleep in his fifth-floor Worcester apartment when right outside his window this dramatic scene played out, a state trooper opening fire on the moving car.

“Did this really happen in my place? Did I just see that?” said Trigiano.

The suspect is a 43-year-old Worcester man, Victor Devilla. Devilla was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

His brother-in-law said that he is the father of two girls, a 12-year-old and a 4-year-old. He said at this point he has no idea what happened last night.

“They were the love of his life, his daughters. I don’t know what he was going through now. I have no clue what he’s going through now that made him do this. I don’t have the whole complete story,” said Luis Carmona, a family friend.

Carmona said that Devilla did have some rough times in the past but at this point in his life his daughters were the love of his life. His family just wants answers. They said they are not sure what happened last night.

“It was shocking, but it hurts me more because of my daughter, she loved her father.”

Devilla’s distraught relatives said this doesn't make sense. The father of two daughters didn't deserve die.

“I don't know if he had back-up or called for back-up. As far as we are concerned, yes, he is a rookie state police officer who just, you know who probably is using his gun for the first time,” said Carmona.

Investigators will look at surveillance video and determine if the use of deadly force was justified. The trooper involved in the shooting here has been placed on administrative leave for at least the next few days.