Manhunt expands for armed woman after Massachusetts police officer found dead
Worcester police are seeking Karen Solomon, 58, and warn that she may be armed. (Worcester Police Department)
A woman connected to a veteran Massachusetts police officer who was found dead inside their home remained at large Wednesday, as authorities released new video of Karen Solomon and warned that the 58-year-old suspect is still believed to be armed.
Dig deeper:
The Worcester Police Department released updated video and a new photo of Solomon as the search stretched into a second day. Authorities urged residents to remain alert while officers continued efforts to locate her.
Worcester police have not publicly named the officer who was found dead. The New England Police Benevolent Association, however, identified him Wednesday as Officer Kurt Solomon, a 31-year veteran of the Worcester Police Department and a member of the association.
The association said Solomon spent more than three decades serving the Worcester community and was known as an "incredibly dependable officer, colleague and friend."
What they're saying:
"Thirty-one years of service represents an extraordinary commitment to a community and to the profession of law enforcement," the association said. "Officer Kurt Solomon answered that call for more than three decades, and his service, friendship and dedication will not be forgotten."
The group said it was grieving with Solomon's family and fellow officers as the investigation continued. It added that it had "full confidence" in the authorities working to determine what happened and locate the person being sought.
Worcester police released updated video showing Karen Solomon as the search for the 58-year-old continued. Police say Solomon is still believed to be armed and urged the public to remain vigilant. (The Worcester Police Department)
The backstory:
Public records reviewed by The Associated Press show Kurt and Karen Solomon jointly owned the Wildwood Avenue home. Kurt also identified Karen as his wife in a 2016 bankruptcy filing. A Worcester city councilor publicly referred to Karen as Kurt's wife on Wednesday.
"She is still believed to be armed," a Worcester Police Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital Wednesday morning, adding that the case remains a "very active investigation." The department declined to provide additional details, including the nature of the relationship between Karen Solomon and the deceased, but said another update could be released later Wednesday.
Police said officers were called to a home on Wildwood Avenue at approximately 5:28 a.m. Tuesday following a report of a person down. Responding officers found an off-duty Worcester police officer dead inside the residence. Authorities have not released his cause or manner of death.
During a news conference Tuesday, authorities described Solomon as a suspect whom investigators want to question about the circumstances surrounding the officer's death inside the home.
The district attorney said Solomon had been at the residence and that other people were also present, but declined to elaborate, citing rules governing domestic violence cases.
Solomon is described as a White woman with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Police initially said she was last seen wearing pajama shorts and a tank top while walking toward Westcott Street.
Why you should care:
Authorities warned Tuesday that Solomon was presumed "armed and dangerous." In an update Wednesday, Worcester police reiterated that they believed she remained armed and urged members of the public to stay vigilant.
What you can do:
Police asked anyone who sees Solomon or has information about her location to contact authorities. A Worcester Police Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that anyone who sees or encounters Solomon should call Worcester police at 508-799-8606 or 911.
The Source: FOX News contributed to this report. The information in the story came primarily from the Worcester Police Department, including its statements, newly released surveillance video and photos, details about the search for Karen Solomon, and warnings that she may be armed. This story was reported from Los Angeles.