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Man shot by Peabody police dies

By Mike Stucka
Staff Writer
Published: September 20, 2008

PEABODY — Phillip Noto Sr., whom a Peabody officer police shot earlier this week, died yesterday morning at Salem Hospital from his injuries, a district attorney spokesman said.

Noto, 55, was shot Monday at his home at 60 Washington St. after a series of calls about domestic disputes to the police. The department said he was shot after he pulled out a starter pistol after officers arrived.

He had been listed in critical condition until he died. Peabody police Chief Robert Champagne told The Salem News that it was the city's first fatal police shooting in at least 20 years.

"This is a tragedy for everyone involved," Champagne said in a statement issued through the district attorney's office. "We offer our sincere condolences to Mr. Noto's family."

Family members did not return requests for comments.

Steve O'Connell, a spokesman for the district attorney's office, which is investigating the case, said yesterday, "The medical examiner ruled this afternoon that Mr. Noto died as the result of complications of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen."

A state police lieutenant assigned to the district attorney's office attended the autopsy, O'Connell said. O'Connell said the office wants to do a proper investigation.

"The most important thing is to do it thoroughly," he said.

Phillip Noto and his wife, Ellen, bought their home in 1996, a deed shows. City records since at least 1997 have listed his occupation as "disabled."

At the time of the shooting, police were responding to the third domestic violence call at the house in two days. When police saw Noto wielding the gun, Patrolman Richard Cochran shot Noto in the stomach, bringing the confrontation to an end.

After the second incident Sunday, an emergency restraining order was issued against Noto, who was arrested later Sunday on a charge of threatening to commit a crime. Released on $750 bail Monday morning, Noto allegedly violated that restraining order when he returned to the home at 12:05 p.m. Monday. Cochran, accompanied by Sgt. Arthur Yeo and Patrolman Steven Molk, responded to the call. Another officer, Richard Heath, arrived soon after.

O'Connell said the district attorney's investigation continues. The guns of Cochran and Noto are being tested.

Champagne said Cochran, Yeo and Molk have been offered counseling and other services. Because of privacy reasons, Champagne could not say whether the officers had sought help. The officers have all been cleared to return to work.

"They are all scheduled to come back to us on Monday," Champagne said.

Staff writer Stacie N. Galang contributed to this story.