Last night, East Boston police officers responded to a call about a disruptive gathering, which ultimately led to the recovery of an illegal firearm and the arrest of a local man. According to a report from the Boston Police Department, at around 10:36 PM on Wednesday, officers were dispatched to the area near Libson St. and Msgr. Jaccobbe Rd. to investigate a noisy group.

Upon arrival, the officers noticed several individuals alongside empty alcohol containers. As the police made their presence known, the group scattered. One man, later identified as Ivan Ortiz, 27, from East Boston, drew attention by hastily distancing himself while clinging to a fanny pack. Ortiz's actions led to a pursuit that ended near the Maverick Project Homes on Sumner St., where, after a fall and a brief exchange, police detained him.

An investigation followed, during which officers confirmed the suspect's identity and unearthed a Glock 17 with a scratched-off serial number equipped with a high-capacity magazine, loaded with nine rounds of 9mm. ammunition from Ortiz's fanny pack. Detectives from A-7 soon arrived on the scene to assess the firearm and its modifications.

The arrest of Ivan Ortiz adds to the ongoing concerns about gun violence in the community. Facing charges for unlawful possession of a large capacity firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, along with resisting arrest, Ortiz is scheduled for arraignment in East Boston District Court. As incidents like these continue to unfold, they underscore the challenges law enforcement faces in curbing illegal firearms in urban neighborhoods.