Police have arrested a man in connection with a shooting at the Blue Meadows Housing Development on September 24. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Tyrell Pratt of New Bedford, was apprehended following a brief chase, during which officers saw him discard a firearm.
According to a Facebook post by the New Bedford Police Department, on Tuesday, Pratt was spotted near Cottage St. and Durfee St. around 4:30 p.m. Attempting to flee, he reached into his waistband and was seen holding a gun as he ran towards Austin St. After Pratt threw the gun over a fence, detectives Matthew Sylvia and Alan Kubik took him into custody.
The recovered gun, later identified as a Glock 30, had a defaced serial number and was loaded with nine .45 caliber cartridges. In addition to the gun, Pratt was also found to be in possession of a Percocet tablet. He is now facing multiple charges including assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, and carrying a loaded firearm with a defaced serial number. At the time of his arrest, Pratt was already on probation out of New Bedford District Court.
"I’m very pleased that we could take this dangerous suspect and another firearm off the street. Incidents like last week’s brazen shooting will not be tolerated, and we will continue to investigate until all who were involved are in custody," Chief Paul Oliveira stated in the annoucement by the City of New Bedford Police Department.
The police are urging anyone with further information to come forward. Tips can be given anonymously by calling 508-99-CRIME or by visiting the department's website.
