No new shooting incident has been reported in Spencer, Massachusetts as of October 5, 2026. The most recent major shooting in town remains the February 3, 2026 police shootout at the Big Y shopping plaza on West Main Street, in which suspect Patrick Madison was killed and a Millbury police officer was wounded. If you came here looking for news of an active or recent shooting in Spencer, there is none on record right now — the page below explains the last verified incident, what authorities have said about it since, and where to find official information if anything changes.

Table of Contents

  1. The Short Answer: No New Incident
  2. The February 3, 2026 Big Y Plaza Shootout
  3. The Wounded Officer and the Investigation
  4. Why This Page Says "No New Incident"
  5. How to Verify Breaking Reports in Spencer
  6. Official Sources to Follow
  7. Key Takeaways
  8. Frequently Asked Questions
  9. Sources
  10. Read Next on Chronicle

The Short Answer: No New Incident

As of October 5, 2026, no active shooting or recent shooting incident in Spencer, Massachusetts has been reported by police, the Worcester County District Attorney's office, or established local media. Spencer is a town of roughly 12,000 people in Worcester County, and the last incident that made statewide headlines was the February 2026 standoff described below. This page will be updated if a new verified incident is reported.

The February 3, 2026 Big Y Plaza Shootout

On the evening of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Spencer police responded shortly after 5:00 p.m. to a 911 call near 20 Main Street, where officers found a person suffering from a gunshot wound, according to the Worcester County District Attorney's office. The victim was taken to UMass Medical Center; police never publicly released the victim's condition.

About twelve minutes later, officers located a person matching the suspect's description near the Big Y plaza on West Main Street. The suspect — later identified as 35-year-old Patrick Madison — produced a firearm when approached, shots were exchanged, and Madison fled into the Family Dollar store at the plaza, the DA's office said. Police evacuated the store and surrounding businesses.

Authorities called in the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (CEMLEC) negotiators and SWAT team, State Police K-9 and drone units, and the State Police Air Wing. Inside the store, the CEMLEC SWAT team located Madison hiding in a closed bathroom. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Madison was killed and a Millbury police officer was shot and wounded.

Spencer Police Chief Michael Befford told residents at the time that "this was an isolated, targeted event" and that there was no danger to the community, as reported by Boston 25 News.

The Wounded Officer and the Investigation

The wounded officer was identified as Sergeant Keith Gasco, a 14-year veteran of the Millbury Police Department and a Marine veteran who serves on the regional SWAT team, per local reporting. His injuries were described as non-life-threatening, and he was hospitalized in stable condition at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester.

The investigation has been led by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney's office, assisted by State Police crime scene and ballistics units and the Spencer Police Department. District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. has not announced any additional public findings beyond the initial release.

Why This Page Says "No New Incident"

Many people search "Spencer, MA shooting" after hearing rumors on social media or seeing old stories resurface in their feeds. The February 3 shootout is now more than eight months old, and no law enforcement agency has reported a new shooting in Spencer since. When old footage of the Big Y plaza standoff recirculates online — sometimes without a date — it can look like breaking news. If you see a video or post claiming a Spencer shooting is happening right now, check the timestamp and confirm it with an official source before sharing.

How to Verify Breaking Reports in Spencer

If you hear reports of a possible incident, follow these steps before treating them as confirmed:

  • Check the official channels first. The Spencer Police Department and the Worcester County District Attorney's office publish statements on their websites and social media when something major happens.
  • Look for a date. Recirculated videos and screenshots of the February 2026 incident have been presented as "today" on social media more than once.
  • Trust outlets with named reporters. Local papers like The Spencer Journal, the Telegram & Gazette, and Boston TV stations name their reporters and cite police sources.
  • Beware of template spam sites. Dozens of low-quality sites copy a single headline and dress it up as "breaking news" without a newsroom, sources, or dates. If a site has no byline and no verifiable address, it is not a source.

Official Sources to Follow

Key Takeaways

  • No new shooting has been reported in Spencer, MA as of October 5, 2026.
  • The last major incident was the February 3, 2026 Big Y plaza shootout: suspect Patrick Madison killed, Millbury Sgt. Keith Gasco wounded, investigation ongoing.
  • Spencer's police chief described the 2026 incident as "isolated" and "targeted," with no ongoing danger to the community.
  • Old videos of the February standoff regularly resurface on social media without dates — verify before sharing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was there a shooting in Spencer, MA today?

No. As of October 5, 2026, no shooting has been reported in Spencer, Massachusetts by police or local media. The most recent verified incident was the February 3, 2026 police shootout at the Big Y plaza.

What happened at the Big Y plaza in Spencer on February 3, 2026?

Spencer police responding to a shooting at 20 Main Street encountered a suspect, 35-year-old Patrick Madison, who fired at officers and barricaded himself in the Family Dollar store at the Big Y plaza. In an exchange of gunfire with the CEMLEC SWAT team, Madison was killed and Millbury Sgt. Keith Gasco was wounded, according to the Worcester County District Attorney.

Is the Spencer shooting investigation over?

The investigation into the February 3 officer-involved shooting is being led by State Police detectives assigned to District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. No additional public findings had been announced as of October 2026.

Who was the officer shot in Spencer?

Millbury Police Sergeant Keith Gasco, a 14-year department veteran and Marine veteran serving on the regional SWAT team. His injuries were non-life-threatening, and he was hospitalized in stable condition.

Where can I get official updates about Spencer police news?

The Spencer Police Department's official town page, the Worcester County District Attorney's office website, and established local outlets such as The Spencer Journal and the Telegram & Gazette.

Sources

Read Next on Chronicle