A 29-year-old Worcester man already on parole for shooting a robbery victim in the back in 2020 was ordered held without bail this week after Lowell police say he strangled his former romantic partner, chased a family member with scissors, and shouted “suicide by cop” before officers tased him.
Seamus Carey appeared in Lowell District Court, where Judge Mary Phillips ordered him held without bail following a dangerousness hearing under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 58A, according to the Lowell Sun. Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Brittany Correia asked the judge to hold Carey without bail, and Phillips deemed him a threat to the community. Carey faces charges including strangulation or suffocation, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a household member, intimidating a witness, disorderly conduct, and vandalizing property.
According to the newspaper’s account, Carey allegedly strangled his former romantic partner and punched her in the head before chasing a family member of hers with scissors. Police say Carey fled down the street still holding the scissors, allegedly attempted to stab a police officer, and shouted “suicide by cop” as officers moved in. Officers ultimately used a Taser to take him into custody rather than resorting to deadly force — a tactic consistent with national law enforcement guidance, since federal analysis and Police Executive Research Forum research show that officers confronting suicidal individuals armed with bladed weapons other than firearms frequently rely on non-lethal alternatives like Tasers to avoid deadly shootings, according to the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.
Body Camera Footage Played in Court
Police played body camera footage for Judge Phillips during the hearing, though the judge denied Carey’s request to replay the tasing footage a second time. In court, Carey reportedly told the judge, “I’d rather stand your honor,” and separately said he knew he would not be released anyway. He is also accused of telling someone, “I’m going to cut you right there,” per the Lowell Sun’s reporting on the proceedings…