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Man Shot And Killed By Lynn Police Officer Had Violent Past

LYNN (CBS) – A man shot and killed by police Tuesday had a criminal record going back 25 years, and court papers indicate he made crime his life's career before he was killed in Lynn.

Police said McInnis robbed a Lynn convenience store and was shot a short time later when he refused to take his hands out of his pockets when confronted by officers.

McInnis had previously been incarcerated in Massachusetts state prison 15 times, and was just released three weeks ago.

lynn police shooting
Police shut down the Lynnway from Commercial to Shepard Street after the shooting Tuesday. (WBZ-TV)

In Everett in November of 2014, police had a violent exchange with McInnis. According to a police report, when an officer approached him responding to a hit and run call, McInnis told police, "'I got a .38 right here and I'm going to kill you (expletive).' Mr . McInnis reached for his waistband and lifted his sweatshirt."

That's when an Everett officer used an electronic stun gun on McInnis, who kept fighting.

"...he made several attempts to bite my left leg. Michael then threaten to kill me when he got out of prison," and officer wrote.

The report says McInnis even threatened the EMTs treating him, saying he'd "rip their throats out."

michael mcinnis
Michael McInnis during a previous arrest. (WBZ-TV)

While he was being booked, "Michael was very combative with the officers, refusing to operate with orders and spit blood at officers."

In his hometown of Malden during a more recent arrest in July of 2015, "(McInnis) made a statement saying he would take my gun and shoot me...he said if he couldn't get my gun he would do something that would make us have to shoot him."

Now Lynn Police have done just that, shooting him after they say he attacked a gas station convenience store clerk.

The Lynn Police chief says McInnis told the clerk he was armed. The chief says Lynn officers ordered McInnis to show his hands, he refused, and an officer fired at him.

Neither the chief, nor the Essex District Attorney's office heading up the investigation will comment on whether McInnis had a gun on him at the time.

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