Alexander Bakutis, Man Shot By Kingston Police, Now Faces Charges

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KINGSTON, Mass. (AP) — The man with a knife shot by police outside a Massachusetts mall has been charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, authorities say.

The man, identified as Alexander Bakutis, 25, of Plymouth, was shot just before 3 a.m. Tuesday outside the Kingston Collection after he was seen acting erratically and in a threatening manner, according to police and prosecutors.

Officers went to the mall after getting a call from a mall security guard.

Bakutis had a large knife in a sheath on his hip and ignored officers' commands when they arrived on scene, authorities said.

"In response to the suspect's aggressive and threatening actions, officers attempted to deescalate the situation and used non-lethal tactics to get him to comply," according to a statement from Kingston police. "The man continued to escalate his threatening behavior and fearing for the safety of themselves and the safety of others, the officers drew their firearms. The man was shot once in the shoulder."

Bakutis was taken to a Boston hospital with injuries not considered life threatening.

The officer who shot Bakutis was placed on administrative leave. His name was not released.

Bakutis is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday. It's unclear if he has an attorney.