DA says Springfield officers lawfully killed Dennis Girard

DA says – Hampden County prosecutors said Springfield police officers acted reasonably and lawfully when they fatally shot Dennis Girard, 38, after he allegedly swung a knife toward officers during a mental health crisis sparked by mushrooms. The DA’s office said the sh

Springfield police officers walked into a home at 1193 Worcester St. to respond to a desperate call for help. What they found. according to an investigative report released by local prosecutors. was a man in crisis—bloodied. holding a knife. and behaving in ways witnesses described as a “psychotic episode.”.

Hampden District Attorney’s office announced that finding following an investigation into the Dec. 20, 2025, killing of Dennis Girard, 38. Investigators reviewed body-worn camera footage. surveillance video. witness interviews. 911 recordings. police reports. and autopsy and toxicology results. the DA’s office said in a press release.

The report said officers were dispatched after receiving reports that Girard, “under the influence of mushrooms,” was attempting suicide. Witnesses told police Girard was experiencing a “psychotic episode,” had jumped out of a window, and was hurting himself with a knife when officers arrived.

After entering the home. officers found Girard sitting on the bottom of a bed. holding a knife while covered in blood. the report said. Both officers drew their department-issued tasers and repeatedly ordered Girard to drop the knife as he continued to harm himself with the weapon. Girard was struck multiple times with a taser, causing him to fall backward onto the bed, investigators said. But he continued to hold the knife.

The DA’s office said that as one officer attempted to handcuff Girard, Girard allegedly swung the knife toward the officers. The report described the movement as “what appears to be an attempt to stab” an officer.

At that point, the second officer fired a single shot, striking Girard. He was pronounced dead a short time later, authorities said.

Investigators concluded that the officer fired “in reasonable fear for his partner’s safety” and determined the use of deadly force was justified. Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said in the press release that the officers were responding to a call for help and “made repeated efforts to resolve the situation through verbal commands and less-than-lethal force.” He added: “When Girard swung a knife toward an officer. an immediate threat was presented. and the officer’s response was reasonable. justified. and lawful.”.

The report said officers reasonably believed deadly force was necessary to protect themselves and others after Girard failed to comply with commands and remained armed. It also said firing a single shot was “not excessive. ” noting it happened only after verbal commands and the taser blasts proved ineffective. The report further stated: “The response by the officers. firing a taser and a firearm was appropriate. proportional. and timely considering the imminent threat that was presented by Mr. Girard.”.

An autopsy determined Girard died from gunshot wounds. Additional self-inflicted injuries were listed as a contributing factor, according to the DA’s office. The manner of death was ruled homicide, specifically “shot by police,” as noted in the report.

The DA’s office said the investigation has been closed and neither officer will face criminal charges. The report said: “The use of deadly force was an unfortunate but unavoidable last resort in this instance. ” explaining that other methods from officers failed to gain compliance. It said the decision to fire and shoot Girard was made in a “split second” to protect officers at the scene and others and described it as “lawful self-defense actions.”.

In his obituary, Girard was remembered by family members for his laughter and jokes. The obituary described him as an avid sports fan and a devoted Dallas Cowboys supporter who enjoyed collecting sports cards and memorabilia. It said he was a “cat dad” with a deep affection for animals and had planned to open an animal shelter. Family members also remembered him as a talented artist and an excellent golfer.

Girard is survived by his parents, his sister and her four children, his brother, many aunts and uncles, cousins and their children, as well as his girlfriend and lifelong best friend. The obituary reads: “He was almost always smiling or making a joke, and his laughter was infectious.”

The DA’s office said it remained in contact with Girard’s family throughout the investigation. Before publicly releasing its finding. Gulluni and members of his staff met with family members to discuss the investigation’s results. Gulluni said: “A loss of life is always a tragedy and our sympathies remain with Mr. Girard’s family and loved ones.”.

Springfield Massachusetts Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni Dennis Girard police shooting mental health crisis knife taser homicide ruled no charges