Officer Oliveira in serious condition
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Somerville police officer Mario Oliveira was awarded a citation for the police officer of the year in 2005.

By George P. Hassett

A Somerville police officer shot Tuesday night is in serious condition at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Mario Oliveira, a decorated nine year veteran of the department, was shot three times as he served an arrest warrant on Gibbens Street at about 6:40 p.m. with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.

A statement from the city said the suspect, who has not been identified, opened fire on officers immediately and police returned gunshots. Oliveira was hit by bullets in the stomach, hand and shoulder.

The suspect was shot and killed during the exchange, according to the District Attorney’s office who are investigating the shooting.

Mayor Joe Curtatone, Acting Police Chief Mike Cabral and more than three dozen law enforcement officers gathered at the hospital Tuesday night as Oliveira underwent surgery.

Curtatone said the wounded officer is “one of the top officers on the force.”

“He is a great person and a great officer,” Curtatone said. “We’re holding a vigil here and hoping he makes it through.”

Oliveira was named Somerville Police Officer of the Year in 2005 and is one of the most decorated officers in the department.

As of The Somerville News’ press time, his exact condition is unclear.

The suspect who allegedly shot Oliveira is not being identified pending notification of next of kin.

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(Update…press release from the Middlesex District Attorney)

Officer and Suspect Identified In Last Night’s Police-Involved Shooting

SOMERVILLE– A man sought for arrest by Somerville Police and The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives at 6 Gibbens Street is alleged to have shot a Somerville Police Officer, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone and Somerville Police Chief Michael Cabral informed the public today.

The man, who is alleged to have shot the officer, was struck by return fire and transported to the Somerville Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He has been identified as Matthew Krister, 21, of Somerville.  The officer, who has been identified as Officer Mario Oliveira, was transported to the Massachusetts General Hospital, where he remains in stable condition.  The police-involved shooting will be investigated by the DA’s office, per protocol.

The circumstances of the shooting incident remain under investigation.  The investigation remains active and ongoing.