‘Tense’ situation on streets

Probe focuses on death of teen after shootout with cops


Police are scrambling to quell rising gang tensions following the death of a 19-year-old who authorities say ran from gang unit cops and then opened fire on them in Dorchester Saturday night before being fatally wounded.

“Patrols have been stepped up in the area for the last couple of weeks,” said Boston police spokesman Eddy Chrispin. “Obviously, it’s a tense situation and we have to take every precaution.”

Officials said an unusual calm start to the year gave way to a burst of gang violence in the last few weeks, culminating in the shootout at Navillus Terrace, near Bowdoin and Winter streets.


Three police officials told the Herald that cops are investigating whether the teen, wounded by police, then turned the gun on himself, delivering the fatal blow.

Police were conducting routine interviews with youths when they came upon the 19-year-old Saturday night, who tried to slip away from a larger group but was pursued by cops, sources said. The teen is a suspect in a recent shooting, but that was not why he was stopped, sources said.

As the chase unfolded, the teen turned around and began to unload a clip, aiming at four cops, including a state trooper, sources said. Sources said officers at the scene told investigators the suspect was wounded and then turned his .45-caliber handgun on himself.

Yesterday, a plastic gun and liquor bottles comprised a makeshift memorial for the deceased teen at the scene of the shooting.

The Boston Police Firearms Discharge Unit and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley are investigating the shooting.

“The nature of the fatal injury remains under investigation,” said DA spokesman Jake Wark. “Officers approached him, he fled, officers gave chase and it was in the context of that chase that shots were exchanged.”

Police are also investigating a fatal stabbing in Allston Saturday night, where a man was found stabbed at 7 Mansfield St. He later died after being transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Anyone with information is urged to call 1-800-494-TIPS or text “TIP” to Crime (27463).

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20100405tense_situation_on_streets_probe_focuses_on_death_of_teen_after_shootout_with_cops/srvc=home&position=1

By Jessica Van Sack and O’Ryan Johnson
Monday, April 5, 2010

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