MANSFIELD - A bank robbery ended tragically last spring when the 20-year-old robber who authorities and witnesses say refused their commands to surrender was fatally shot about a quarter-mile from the bank by police who thought he had a gun.

David A. Semenza, of 28 Gaslight Lane in North Easton, was shot several times by police April 24 after he grabbed a black object from the sport utility vehicle stopped by police at School and Spring streets.

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office, which investigated the incident, determined the shooting was justified and that the officers involved acted "within the scope of their duties" and applied "reasonable force."

Semenza, who his family said was addicted to heroin, was a passenger in a red SUV stopped by police following a robbery at the North Easton Savings Bank branch at 71 Copeland Drive.

A report by District Attorney Sam Sutter said Semenza defied officers' commands to get down on the ground and, at one point, told police he had a gun. An autopsy found Semenza had cocaine and other drugs in his system at the time. The alleged getaway driver, George F. Moore, 21, of 41 Foundry St., Apt. 21-2, in Easton, obeyed officers' commands.

Moore remains in jail awaiting trial on charges of unarmed robbery. He is due back in court Jan. 5 for a pretrial hearing.

His lawyer, Daniel Rich of Norton, said Moore was unaware of what Semenza did inside the bank.

However, police say the bank heist was planned.

Police Chief Arthur O'Neill said the shooting was a "sad event," but that officers acted in accordance with their training and fired only after giving abundant warnings. He said they believed they or the public might be in immediate danger.

The shooting occurred near a daycare center where children were told to remain inside. It also occurred in front of several civilian witnesses waiting in traffic who backed the officers' accounts.

The incident began just before 5 p.m., when police received a 911 call from the bank, saying that it had just been robbed by a white man who handed over a note demanding all the money. A description of the robber and the getaway vehicle was sent out.

Within a few minutes, police in five cruisers stopped the SUV on School Street.

While Moore complied with police commands and remained in the vehicle, according to Sutter's report, Semenza left the vehicle and ignored repeated commands to "stop and get down on the ground."

A civilian witness observed that Semenza appeared to be "playing a game" with police and concealing something by keeping his hand in his pocket. As police held their positions, the report said, Semenza was heard to say, "I'm not going back to jail," and a short time later, "I've got a gun."

Semenza returned to the vehicle, according to the report, and was seen fidgeting with something under the seat.

He got out of the vehicle again and ignored commands to take his hands out of his pockets and give up, the report said. Instead, Semenza advanced on the police officers and was shot when he took his hand from his pocket, revealing a black object police believed was a gun.

Sutter concluded there was "no credible evidence" that police used unreasonable or excessive force.