Man killed by police had a violent past; Suspect fired at officers, district attorney says.

Byline: George Barnes and Craig S. Semon

WEBSTER -- The Charlton man shot and killed by local police early Friday morning had a history of violent and abusive behavior, according to court records.

Police shot and killed Neil Seifert, 40, of Putnam Road, Charlton, outside of 40 North Main St., according to Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Mr. Seifert, armed with a shotgun, allegedly fired two shots at local police officers before an officer returned fire, striking him.

The officers were not struck, although Mr. Early said one shot came very close to an officer. One officer, though, was struck by debris that was created when a shot hit the house, he said.

The confrontation, just after midnight, grew out of an alleged domestic assault, police said. It came about two hours after police responded to a call from the address, according to Mr. Early. A woman living in one of two apartments in the house said she was assaulted by Mr. Seifert, he said. She told authorities he also took her car.

After the assault was reported, Mr. Seifert fled, Mr. Early said during a Friday morning news conference. His account continued:

Police began looking for a Nissan Sentra about 9:50 p.m. and soon learned he went to his house in Charlton and collected a shotgun owned by his stepfather.

The stepfather attempted to stop him from taking the gun, which was locked up. They struggled, but Mr. Seifert broke into the area where it was stored and took it.

Police alerted other communities to be on the lookout for the vehicle. The alert indicated Mr. Seifert was considered armed and dangerous, according to scanner reports. They indicated that after leaving the Putnam Road address, Mr. Seifert visited the home of a former girlfriend in Charlton before heading back to Webster.

A short time later, Mr. Early said, state police spotted the car headed south on Interstate 395. Troopers signaled for the driver to stop, but he sped away, getting off at Exit 3 and heading into Webster.

Police followed the car to 40 North Main St. The suspect ran to the back of the house. Two Webster police officers and two state troopers pursued him. The two troopers went around the sides of the house and the Webster officers went to the back where Mr. Seifert was attempting to get in a back door.

Mr. Seifert threatened the officers and was told repeatedly to drop the shotgun, saying, "Drop your gun. Drop your gun. Drop your gun was repeated several times,'' Mr. Early said.

When Mr...