UMass Armed Assault Suspect Turns Self in

A suspect wanted in connection with an armed assault that prompted a shelter-in-place order at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst has turned himself in to police in Framingham, authorities said.

Police with the University of Massachusetts had issued a warrant for the arrest of 19-year-old William McKeown.

Police also seized a car in Framingham possibly connected to the assault.

Authorities say video evidence of the Feb. 18 incident shows two suspects being provided access to Pierpont Hall willingly by a UMass student.

Police say the victim was familiar with the suspects, who are not UMass students.

The male victim suffered a laceration to his head. He was treated at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and released.

"We found a kid that we didn't know bleeding on the ground, and two other kids, that we also didn't know, standing over him," said freshman Morgan Hughes. "It looked like he was pulled out of somebody's room."

Hughes said someone shouted that one of the suspects had a gun and all the witnesses retreated.

Charges include armed robbery, assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. A handgun was shown, but not fired during the incident. 

The second suspect has not been identified.

The incident prompted a nearly two-hour shelter-in-place order.

The investigation is active and ongoing at this time.

Contact Us