On a winter morning in Lynn, Massachusetts, the life of Randolph McClain, a 33-year-old Black / African American man, came to a violent end on January 29, 2016. The day began with a sense of urgency as four Lynn police officers arrived at 106 Bayview Avenue to serve five outstanding arrest warrants against McClain. He was the focus of an ongoing investigation by the Lynn Police Domestic Violence Unit for a series of restraining order violations and escalating threats against his former
girlfriend and her family. The threats had reportedly involved a firearm on multiple occasions over the preceding three weeks, making his apprehension a priority for the department.
The situation inside the residence quickly intensified when officers on the second floor made contact with McClain. He reportedly responded to their calls by stating he had a gun and would kill them. Soon after, he was seen climbing out of a second-floor window onto a porch roof. From this position, he allegedly pointed a gun at an officer before leaping to the ground and fleeing on foot. The officers gave chase, and the confrontation spilled out onto the nearby streets.
As the pursuit continued, McClain attempted to carjack a woman who was turning onto Nichols Avenue, forcing her from her vehicle at gunpoint. As officers closed in on the stolen car, McClain allegedly pointed his weapon at them. In response, three of the officers fired their weapons, striking him multiple times. First aid was rendered at the scene, and he was transported to Salem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators later recovered a handgun at the location. The Essex District Attorney's Office conducted a thorough investigation into the shooting and concluded that the officers' actions were justified, as they reasonably believed they were in imminent danger. Consequently, no criminal charges were filed against the officers involved.
