News Release

Date 07/24/08

For Immediate Release: Knife-wielding suspect shot by police officer

Earlier today, a Springfield Police Officer shot a man threatening officers with a knife. The incident happened around 1:45 a.m. Officers assigned to the MSU substation had been dispatched across the street to 701 E Elm to investigate an assault that occurred just outside of the address. The caller reported to 911 that a neighbor from next door assaulted the caller's girlfriend, but no weapons had been seen.

As officers arrived, they contacted the victim and verified that she had been assaulted; her face was bleeding and bruised, but she initially refused medical attention. While speaking with officers, she suddenly pointed out a subject nearby and identified him as the suspect responsible for the assault.

As officers began to approach the suspect, he fled to his upstairs apartment in the building at 701 E Elm and slammed the door shut. The only route to access the apartment was a flight of exterior stairs that terminated at a small landing approximately three feet across. Two officers climbed the stairs, led by Officer Jeff Ferneau. Due to lack of space outside the suspect's door, only Ferneau was able to stand in front of the door. After negotiating with the suspect for a few minutes through the door, it suddenly flew open and Ferneau saw the suspect lunging towards him with a large knife in his hand. To stop the threat, Ferneau fired his weapon at the suspect, striking him in the upper body. The suspect died immediately.

The suspect was identified as Donald Gaches, 43 years old, of Springfield. Gaches had a lengthy criminal history including convictions for DWI, Drug Violations, Failure to Appear and Making a False Police Report. Also, he was responsible for ten Domestic Disturbances, four Domestic Assaults, four Exparte/Order of Protection Violations and one harassment case within Springfield city limits, all in the last six years.

Jeff Ferneau has been with the Springfield Police Department for twelve years. He is 44 years old. In keeping with standard procedure, he has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending further investigation into the incident.

Before this incident the last officer-involved fatal shooting in Springfield was October 8, 2003.

SPD Case Number: 08-33295

 

Media Contact: Public Information Officer Grant Story, phone 417-864-1702

Release authorized by: Major Don Clark