BOSTON – Boston police have identified the suspect who allegedly shot a Boston police officer multiple times Friday night.
John Lazare, 23, of Brockton faces a slew of charges including assault and battery with a firearm, armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon, Boston police officials revealed Saturday.
Police say Lazare shot the responding officer in the feet and back on Cedric Street near Clifford Park in Roxbury Friday night.
“This is another example of people who have no respect for life in any way,” Police Commissioner Michael Cox said at a press conference on Saturday.
According to the police report, the responding officer was previously in the area Wednesday night to investigate a report of an armed robbery of a pizza delivery man. The victim reported being robbed by a 5’6″ to 5’8″ man wearing a black hoodie, a face mask and dark colored pajama pants with red graphics.
Police say the same officer received more photos of the alleged suspect Friday afternoon.
The officer returned to the area of Cedric Street Friday evening “due to this recent activity,” Boston police said. While in the area after 9 p.m., the officer noticed a man matching the description of the suspect from Wednesday night pointing a gun at another man making a food delivery.
As the officer approached, the suspect, identified by police as Lazare, began firing at the officer and ran toward the front entrance at 44 Cedric Street.
The officer reported being shot several times by a police channel, specifically once in the foot and once in the back. Police say “a crowd” of officers began heading to the area. The officer who was shot was placed in a police car and rushed to Boston Medical Center where he was treated for non-life threatening gunshot wounds.
Officers still at the scene of the shooting began removing residents from 44 Cedric Street, eventually noticing Lazare on a nearby rooftop. In an attempt to escape, Lazare jumped off the roof, landed in a nearby alley and injured his leg, police said. Lazare was arrested and taken to Beth Israel Hospital for treatment of his leg.
A silver and black firearm and a 9mm shell casing were found near the entrance on 44 Cedric Street, police said.
The officer who was shot is recovering with his family at Boston Medical Center, Police Commissioner Michael Cox said.
The full list of charges Lazare faces is as follows:
Assault and battery with a firearm Armed robbery Assault with a dangerous weapon Carrying a firearm without a license Possessing a firearm without an FID card Carrying a loaded firearm without a license Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building Possessing a large capacity firearm Receiving stolen property
Boston police and Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden say the incident is under investigation.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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