A violent confrontation erupted near the Forest Hills MBTA station in Jamaica Plain last night, resulting in a Boston police officer and a suspect being hospitalized. WCVB reports that the confrontation began when officers responded to assist in the recovery of a stolen motor vehicle at the station's parking lot located at 66 Hyde Park Avenue around 7:45 p.m.
Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox detailed the incident saying, "As officers approached the vehicle, the suspect operating the motor vehicle struck the officer." The officer subsequently "discharged his weapon, striking the operator of the motor vehicle," leaving the suspect in critical condition, as reported by WCVB. The injured officer was described as stable with non-life-threatening injuries. The area was cordoned off to vehicular traffic following the incident, with road closures extending for several hours during the investigation.
Witnesses in the vicinity described the situation as chaotic. Marty Andrews, a local resident, recounted to WCVB, "I just hear some commotion on the other end of the parking lot at Forest Hills, and there's like some yelling."
The events leading up to the shooting, including whether the officer discharged his firearm before or after being hit by the vehicle, are under a thorough investigation. Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden asserted his commitment to a prompt inquiry, explaining that his office is working with Boston police "to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation," according to NBC Boston. Details surrounding whether anyone else was in the stolen vehicle at the time are currently being probed by authorities.
