Michael C. Twedt

Deadly force

Acting with profound emotional issues, Twedt left a suicidal note for his social worker, made an unsuccessful attempt to set himself on fire, and left the mental health center in his car. Members of both the Southbridge police and the state police followed then intercepted his car. This evolved into a standoff where Twedt threatened several police with a knife, which he threw and missed, and with the weapon of his own gasoline-soaked clothes and a lighter. A state trooper shot him to death when he approached to within 10 feet.