State Police Association of Massachusetts: 20 youth surrounds, assaults, three State Troopers

The State Police Association of Massachusetts has released a statement concerning a “viral” incident that took place Thursday evening.

“The Association is aware of circulating videos of an incident in Boston late yesterday. Late yesterday, three of our Troopers assigned to the Gang Unit were working through a traffic stop of a suspect in Boston when a group of approximately 20 youth surrounded and assaulted our Troopers.

We are thankful that our three Troopers only sustained minor injuries, in no small part to the quick response of members of the Boston Police Department.

Incidents like this one and similar attacks at Carson and Revere Beaches in recent years are becoming all too common. It needs to stop, and it starts with leaders throughout our communities speaking up.”

Massachusetts State Police later issued an update on the incident.

At approximately 3:00 p.m. (Thursday), members of the State Police and Boston Police patrolling together in Roxbury approached two juvenile men believed to be armed with firearms. As police placed a 17-year-old in custody for illegally possessing a firearm, the second individual fled and discarded a weapon. Police canvased the area for the second suspect unsuccessfully.

A short time later, Boston Police Dispatch broadcasted a “shots fired” with a man with a gun whose description matched the suspect. Troopers responded to the area and encountered three men who entered a restaurant and later moved into a parked car to avoid interacting with law enforcement. When the Troopers removed the men from the vehicle, they became combative and assaulted the Troopers.

As Troopers attempted to arrest the men, more than a dozen individuals converged to restrain them on the ground, punch, and kick them to prevent further arrests.

Boston Police arrived on scene and the joint team arrested three individuals – two juveniles and an adult. One juvenile and one adult were taken into Boston Police custody and the other juvenile was taken into State Police custody.

“The Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police Department are investigating an incident in which members of our Department were physically assaulted while pursuing dangerous suspects – one of whom was wanted for possessing a firearm and another was armed with a knife. These individuals physically impeded police from making arrests, used dangerous headlocks and other force that caused injuries. Violence against police doing their job to protect our communities from illegal gun violence will not be tolerated.” – State Police Spokesperson

Law enforcement continue to investigate the incident and may pursue other involved individuals.