District Attorney Releases New Details in Sgt. Gannon Killing

BARNSTABLE – New details were released Thursday afternoon about the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon last month.

Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe issued a statement describing what happened as Gannon and other police officers entered the home in Marstons Mills to serve a warrant.

Their subject was Thomas Latanowich, 29, who is accused of firing shot that killed Gannon and wounded his K-9 Nero. Latanowich was being sought for a probation violation.

O’Keefe said Gannon was joined by six other officers from Barnstable and Yarmouth on arrival at 109 Blueberry Lane on April 12.

After clearing the house with Nero and another officer, they entered the unfinished attic through a hole in the ceiling of a small bedroom closet.

The two officers and the K-9 searched the area to the north of the opening and found two back packs. One contained a large amount of drugs and the other contained clothing.

O’Keefe said the officers and the K-9 then left the attic after not finding anyone.

However, they returned after detecting new evidence someone was there.

While back in the attic, the D.A. said the officers noticed a piece of insulation that was covering another section of the attic.

Latanowich allegedly fired the fatal bullet at Gannon when they removed that insulation.

After being hit, he was pulled down through the opening and all the officers withdrew from the house and set up a perimeter.

Gannon was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

After Latanowich eventually surrendered, officers were able to retrieve Nero, who had also been shot.

The state medical examiner has officially determined Gannon’s cause of death to be a single gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death a homicide.

Over the next several days, law enforcement searched the home extensively, locating a semi-automatic hand gun broken down into several pieces.

Two live rounds were found in the toilet and shell casings were found in the attic.

Cash in excess of $25,000 was bundled and hidden in a wall in a bedroom and cash in excess of $4,000 was recovered on Latanowich upon booking.

The State Crime Lab continues to analyze the evidence taken from the home.

Latanowich has been charged with first degree murder and one count of mistreating a police dog.

He previously had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf and will be back in court next month.

By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com NewsCenter

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