Executive Summary
- Hopkinton Police issued a shelter-in-place order Monday at 77 West Main Street due to a report of an armed man.
- Surveillance footage helped police identify the subject as a local resident wearing a gas mask and trench coat.
- The order was lifted after officers determined the man was conducting physical training and was not armed.
The Hopkinton Police Department (HPD) issued a temporary shelter-in-place order for a commercial plaza on West Main Street Monday following reports of a suspicious individual wearing a gas mask and trench coat.
According to HPD Deputy Chief Scott van Raalten, the department received a call at 11:58 a.m. reporting that the male subject might be carrying a firearm. Officers arrived at the scene at 77 West Main Street one minute later to secure the area, which includes a wine and spirits shop, a nail salon, and a pediatric practice.
Law enforcement personnel, assisted by officers from the Milford Police Department, searched the exterior and interior of the businesses and advised occupants to shelter in place. Van Raalten stated that investigators reviewed surveillance footage with a property manager and identified the subject as a local resident known to the department.
Police observed the individual walking toward his residence in the video and noted he did not appear to be holding a weapon. Officers subsequently located the man at his home, where they confirmed the presence of the gas mask. The subject later contacted the police station to apologize, explaining that the equipment was worn for “physical training purposes” and that he was unarmed.
Operational Response Assessment
The swift resolution of the incident at 77 West Main Street underscores the prioritization of rapid deployment protocols in response to potential active shooter reports. While the investigation concluded that no crime occurred and no ongoing threat existed, the coordinated police presence reflects standard operating procedures for unverified reports involving firearms in public commercial zones. Authorities emphasized that community vigilance remains vital for public safety, regardless of the outcome of this specific event.
