Two Police Officers Shot in East Boston
photo via iStock.com/KALI9
Two Boston Police officers are recovering after surgery for gunshot wounds and remain in “critical condition” at Massachusetts General Hospital this morning after a shootout in East Boston Wednesday night.
A suspect, identified this morning as 33-year-old Kirk Figueroa, of East Boston, is dead after a shootout with BPD, officials said.
The injured officers have not been identified. Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said last they had been shot multiple times—one in the leg, the other in the upper body. He said other police on the scene “dragged their fellow officers out of the line of fire” and administered first aid.
“All the officers I think exhibited extreme courage and bravery,” Evans said. He added last night: “We’re praying they’re gonna be fine.”
Police commissioner describes shooting that injured 2 police officers in East Boston. Suspect killed. #wcvb pic.twitter.com/YBNNe0N5Mn
— John Atwater (@AtwaterWCVB) October 13, 2016
The sounds of police sirens filled East Boston around 11 p.m. Wednesday after police reportedly arrived at the scene of what was described as a domestic incident on Gladstone Street in the neighborhood’s quiet Orient Heights section.
Update: Two #BPD officers shot, one multiple times- & “critical.” Suspect in #EastBoston shooting is dead. #WCVB pic.twitter.com/b2Xv1w3vna
— Mary Saladna (@MaryWCVB) October 13, 2016
Police say the suspect, who wore a bullet-proof vest, fired a handgun and assault rifle at officers inside a home. It was not clear why the suspect was so heavily armed.
A neighbor captured audio that appeared to be gunshots from the altercation.
#EastBoston audio of the gunshots heard from our bedroom window in Orient Heights, this is only some of them pic.twitter.com/dj31WmJmiM
— Mike Tucker (@miketunka) October 13, 2016
Neighbors for a short time were advised to shelter in place.
The incident remains under investigation, which is being led by the District Attorney’s office and its homicide unit. Suffolk DA Dan Conley said that is standard procedure for any officer-involved shooting.
“We will do a very thorough and transparent investigation into these events to determine what happened here,” he said in a news conference.
Mayor Marty Walsh, also at the press conference, commended the police for their response.
“This job is a tough job, and often times people don’t look at the other side of what happens with police officers,” Walsh said. “We’re hoping that they make a full recovery.”
Gov. Charlie Baker’s office also released a statement: “Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito are shocked and saddened to learn of last night’s horrific incident and their thoughts and prayers are with the police officers and their families.”
