In a startling incident that has left a police station severely damaged, a Massachusetts man is accused of intentionally driving his BMW SUV through the front of the Shrewsbury Police Department before repeatedly apologising to officers. The dramatic event, which occurred on Monday afternoon, has prompted a major investigation and significant operational disruptions for the local force.
Deliberate Collision Causes Widespread Destruction
According to official police reports, Robert Scott McCluskey, aged 58, allegedly accelerated his BMW SUV at an excessive speed directly into the police headquarters building just before 2pm. The vehicle smashed through two sets of doors and a wall, finally coming to rest inside the department's critical communications centre. Shocking photographic evidence from the scene depicts the SUV halted amidst a pile of debris, having completely destroyed a glass door entrance, with its rear section protruding from a wooden doorframe marked 'Communications'.
Miraculous Escape for Communications Staff
Remarkably, despite the violent nature of the collision, no police officers, civilian staff, or members of the public sustained physical injuries during the incident. Three communications officers were actively managing dispatch operations within the centre at the precise moment of impact. Police Chief Kevin Anderson confirmed that the force of the crash propelled the central dispatch console into one of the officers, though fortunately without causing harm.
Following the collision, McCluskey was extracted from his vehicle to receive medical attention. At this point, Shrewsbury Police Lieutenant Timothy Finacom documented in a criminal complaint that the suspect repeatedly uttered, 'I am sorry, help me, I am so sorry.' When Lieutenant Finacom directly questioned whether McCluskey had intended to drive into the station, the suspect allegedly responded, 'Yes, I am so sorry, I am so sorry.' The officer further noted a distinct smell of alcohol on McCluskey's breath during this interaction.
Revealed Motive: 'Suicide by Cop' Plan
Subsequent police investigations uncovered a deeply troubling motive behind the apparently deliberate act. Soon after the crash, officers received information indicating that McCluskey had been travelling to police headquarters specifically to enact a 'suicide by cop' scenario. Witness statements obtained by authorities revealed that McCluskey had made several alarming declarations earlier that same day, including 'I want suicide by cop' and 'Watch the news, it's going to be spectacular.'
Just prior to driving into the station, McCluskey also allegedly stated over the telephone, 'I am going to end this.' Police Chief Anderson disclosed that Shrewsbury police had previous interactions with McCluskey, though none since 2019. Records obtained by media outlets show a history including previous charges for driving under the influence and an active restraining order filed by the mother of his children, accusing him of both alcohol abuse and physical violence.
Substantial Charges and Operational Fallout
McCluskey now faces a serious array of criminal charges including:
- Reckless operation of a motor vehicle
- Malicious destruction of property valued over $1,200
- Three separate counts of assault with a dangerous weapon
- Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
He is scheduled for arraignment on these charges. Meanwhile, the Shrewsbury Police Department is confronting considerable operational challenges. The dispatch centre has been temporarily relocated to another section of the building, and officials have warned that the public lobby will likely remain closed for several weeks. Authorities have indicated that complete repairs to the extensively damaged structure may require several months to finalise.
As an immediate security measure, the department has installed substantial concrete barriers in front of the building to prevent any similar incidents. This extraordinary case serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers facing emergency service personnel and the complex mental health challenges within communities.
