Massachusetts man allegedly fires gun, flees from police in chase with two young children in car

A Massachusetts man was arrested after reportedly firing a gun and evading police while two young children were in the car.

According to Southbridge, MA Police, on July 17, at approximately 9:00 p.m., a Sergeant observed a black SUV traveling on Hook Street towards Central Street. As the vehicle approached the stop sign, the Sergeant heard several loud bangs consistent with the sound of a firearm being discharged from the area of the SUV.

The Sergeant immediately radioed that he believed the operator of the vehicle had just discharged a firearm and attempted to stop the vehicle prior to turning onto Central Street. A second officer was in the area and heard the loud bangs and also believed they were gunshots being fired from the vehicle.

As officers attempted to stop the motor vehicle, they observed a man, later identified as 39-year-old Luis Santiago, operating the vehicle with two children (ages 4 & 6) seated in the back seat. Santiago attempted to flee the area and quickly turned onto Central Street in an attempt to evade officers. Santiago continued driving failing to stop for officers and eventually crashing into a fence on private property on Thomas Street before officers were finally able to stop the vehicle.

During further investigation, officers noticed Santiago was wearing an empty holster on his hip and they observed a 9mm handgun on the floor of the vehicle. Officers also observed four spent shell casings and numerous empty alcohol nip bottles scattered throughout the inside of the vehicle.

During conversation with Santiago, officers immediately detected a strong odor of alcohol. He also had bloodshot eyes and appeared to be intoxicated. Santiago was put in handcuffs and transported to police headquarters for processing.

Officers then canvassed the Hook Street and Central Street area for additional evidence and were able to recover another spent 9mm shell casing in the roadway suspected to have been fired by Santiago.

As a result of the investigation, Santiago was charged with discharging a firearm within 500′ of a dwelling, improper storage of a large-capacity firearm near a minor, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, operating under the influence of alcohol 2nd offense, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, reckless endangerment of a child, and destruction of property.

Santiago was held without bail and was arraigned in Dudley District Court on July 18.