After deadly Hinsdale shooting, D.A. highlights need for better local mental health care

HINSDALE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Our coverage on this week’s police-involved shooting in Hinsdale continues. The Berkshire D.A. held a press conference on Friday to explain where things stand in the investigation.

Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue was saddened about what took place earlier this week. He revealed the identity of the civilian who was tragically killed in this officer-involved shooting, one that has left the small community and much of Berkshire County shocked.

“The officers are devastated. They’re upset. Everybody who was in the room is getting mental health treatment themselves right now. This is a very volatile, difficult situation. Everybody feels horrible. This is a terrible tragedy, and it affects them gravely,” Shugrue said.

Shugrue told reporters in a press conference what law enforcement and others are feeling in what has been a difficult week for the small town of Hinsdale. On Friday, more details were released into what led to Wednesday’s officer-involved shooting.

According to the D.A., the man who was killed that day was 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil of New York. Shugrue said Kauvil reportedly expressed “paranoid and delusional thoughts” with the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center and on social media, as well as to his family and law enforcement.

Officials said Kauvil felt he was being monitored by both law enforcement and organized crime. At about 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Hinsdale Police Chief Shawn Boyne, along with other officers responded to 53 Off South Street after multiple 911 calls were made by Kauvil.

After trying to reason with Kauvil, officers decided to break into a first-floor bedroom, a struggle ensued with Kauvil who was holding a gun. We should note Kauvil did have a license to carry, but officers were told at the time that he did not have a weapon on him.

During the struggle, Kauvil’s gun went off, hitting Hinsdale Police Sergeant Dominick Crupi in the hand and Chief Boyne, who was wearing a bullet-proof vest, in the chest. A taser was discharged on Kauvil twice before another officer fired their weapon.

“When the effects of the taser diminish, he (Kauvil) becomes agitated, stating, ‘Kill me! Kill me!’ The taser deployed a second time,” Shugrue said.

Sgt. Crupi was accidentally shot in the elbow before another bullet struck Kauvil, who died from his injuries at Berkshire Medical Center. Chief Boyne was released from the hospital later that day, while Sgt. Crupi is still undergoing treatment. Both officers’ injuries are non-life threatening.

The D.A. says incidents like these in his county are rare, “It’s not common at all. It’s very uncommon. I think as time goes on, the more we educate the community, and we educate all of us about mental health, the more that we deal with the mental health issues.”

Shugrue said Kauvil was not getting the proper help he needed, while saying his area does not have enough workers to assist with mental health concerns, “they don’t get paid enough, we need more, and unfortunately, that’s a big problem. We’re trying to address that. We need to get more people in the mental health field here because I know his (Kauvil’s) family had struggled with him having mental health. And they tried to get services.”

Both injured officers are expected to make a full recovery.

Shugrue said if you know anyone who is dealing with anything mental health related, you are asked to reach out to any hotlines or other resources so those people can get the professional help that they need.

More information on hotline numbers is call 988 for the Suicide Prevention Hotline or calling and texting 833-773-2445 for the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line.

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