A Springfield man pleaded not guilty after officials said he threatened to shoot people at TD Bank and punched a police officer.
On March 18, Michael Lane, 65, was causing a disturbance at TD Bank in downtown Springfield around 1:15 p.m., including threatening to shoot people, the Springfield Police Department said.
TD Bank employees pressed the panic alarm, which called the police.
When officers arrived, they said Lane began throwing punches at an officer and ultimately punched one officer in the face.
Multiple officers could be seen in a video outside TD Bank slowly walking toward Lane while he threw punches and resisted arrest. After making contact with the officer, the police attempted to grab Lane. While fighting with police, Lane fell to the ground.
Police said he was drive-stunned via a taser and taken into custody.
He was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and assault.
On March 19, Springfield District Court Judge Bethzaida Sanabria-Vega ordered a mental health examination to be evaluated for competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility. He was brought to Bridgewater State Hospital and an arraignment was scheduled for April 8. However, it got rescheduled to April 24.
He was ordered held without bail and is continuing to stay at Bridgewater State Hospital.
Lane previously had two arrest warrants from Chicopee District Court, including breaking and entering at night, a felony, trespassing and disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
