The suspect, 29-year-old Tom Latanowich of Somerville, is a career criminal who has 111 criminal charges, was taken into custody around 6:00 p.m. after an lengthy standoff with police while remaining barricaded inside the home. Latanowich was hiding in the attic and shot Officer Gannon and his dog as the K9 team started to enter the attic. Latanowich was charged with murder on 4/13/18.
Latanowich had 38 previous cases in Barnstable District Court alone, many of which were dismissed. The first case involving Latanowich dates back to 2005 when he was arrested for negligent operation of a motor vehicle, one of numerous motor vehicle charges he has faced over the years. Latanowich has faced nine assault-related cases, six of which involved dangerous weapons. He had at least three firearms related offenses and one charge of armed robbery.He also had five drug related cases. He was arrested in an alleged stabbing attack in Yarmouth in late 2016.
The jury in Barnstable Superior Court found Latanowich guilty on all seven charges against him, including aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, using a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of ammunition without an FID card and mistreating a police dog. Latanowich was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years for the murder charge, plus 10-to-15 years on other charges.Due to a guilty verdict on the gun charge, he was designated as a “career criminal,”and was arraigned on a seperate indictment. He pleaded guilty after waiving his right to a jury trial on the charge.
