PRESS RELEASE: At about 6:51 p.m. on Saturday March 28, 2015, officers from District A-7 (East Boston) responded to a radio call for a four-year-old child stabbed in the area of 106 Paris Street.
While on approach to the scene, officers were advised that the young child had been taken by his father to the East Boston Health Center in the area of 10 Gove Street.
Officers were also informed that the suspect, a Hispanic female, was still inside a residence in the area of 106 Paris Street and had locked herself in a bedroom. The officers located the suspect; however, she refused to unlock the door after numerous verbal commands from the officers. Under the direction of the supervisor on scene, officers used a battering ram to gain access to the room. Once inside, officers observed the suspect holding a thin serrated blade, approximately 3 inches in length in her right hand. The supervisor gave the suspect multiple commands in English and in Spanish to drop the weapon. After she refused to comply with all verbal commands, the supervisor engaged the suspect with the police department-issued less-lethal shotgun, causing the suspect to drop the blade immediately. Officers were able to place the suspect in custody after a brief but violent struggle without any further injury to the suspect. The suspect was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for evaluation.
Officers were later informed by witnesses that after an argument with the child’s father, the suspect had grabbed the boy and attempted to harm him. The witnesses were able to wrestle the boy away from the suspect, and the father of the child immediately fled the apartment to seek help at the nearby Health Center.
The 4-year-old male victim was later treated at Boston Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect will be booked and charged with several serious offenses pending her release from the hospital.
The actions of the officers and the assistance of the witnesses undoubtedly saved this young child’s life. The officers used extreme restraint in their interactions with the armed suspect and prevented further injury and harm with their sharp and highly coordinated use of less lethal force.
