Boston police say an officer is recovering after being shot in the leg while on duty in the South End.
At a press conference Sunday afternoon, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said members of the department’s youth violence strike force were on patrol around 2 p.m. when they encountered three individuals who appeared to be in their 20s sitting on steps outside a building on West Springfield Street.
Gross said when the individuals saw the officers, they stood up and “were clutching at their waists, which is characteristic of an armed gunman.”
WBUR News reports that the officers attempted to follow the individuals into a building, but Gross said one held the door closed against the officers. When the officers were able to enter, Gross said they were immediately fired upon.
One officer was shot in the calf and is being treated at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Gross said the officer is “doing fine,” and that Mayor Marty Walsh visited the officer Sunday afternoon.
SWAT and hostage negotiators were called to the scene after police say one of the suspects entered an apartment and were able to make contact with the suspect.
“Thankfully it came to a peaceful resolution where the suspect was taken into custody. No injuries. No further shots fired,” Gross said. Two other people were taken into custody.
Gross called the incident “intolerable.”
“It’s heart wrenching, you know? Folks are doing their job protecting the city, and that’s the attitude these days? That we’re coming up to talk to you — we’re coming up — you can just fire upon us? That’s heart wrenching,” Gross said.
Sunday’s incident follows the fatal shooting of police officers in Weymouth and Yarmouth earlier this year.