A Bridgewater man was arrested after an incident that left two officers injured at Boston City Hall and another at a police station on Friday, officials said.
The man bit one of the officers on the hand, causing severe damage, according to police. The other officer at Boston City Hall was pushed to the floor in the scuffle.
The third officer was hurt as the suspect was being booked, according to the Boston Police Department.
Police said it started around 9:45 a.m. when the suspect, identified as 51-year-old Michael Williams, arrived at City Hall for a meeting that had been postponed. Witnesses said he shouted racial slurs at a group of other people in the building.
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Williams began arguing with officers who arrived at the scene. When told he would have to leave to be arrested, he reportedly told the officers "Yes, I would rather be arrested."
When those officers tried to take him under arrest, Williams tried to fight them off, biting one officer and punching two officers. Williams continued to resist arrest during booking, according to police.
Four officers were taken to Mass General Hospital for treatment after the incident. All of them are expected to be OK, but it was disconcerting for those who work in the building.
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"We shouldn’t be locking doors, and people have a right to come in, but when you hear that someone was having a fight to the point when the police came to support they were attacked too is unsettling, for sure," City Councilor Erin Murphy said.
Williams appeared in Boston Municipal Court Friday afternoon to face charges of of assault and battery on a police officer, trespassing, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and assault to maim.
He was ordered held on $25,000 bail. He was also committed to a medical facility for 20 days, and was due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on April 24.
Later Friday, the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association shared a shocking and graphic image of the wound on social media, writing, "It’s NEVER okay to hurt or harm a police officer. In fact, it’s inexcusable. And the suspect who bit one of our officers earlier today at City Hall must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law to send a clear message that this type of behavior is completely unacceptable."
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn showed support for the BPPA, agreeing that these kinds of assaults must be prosecuted.
"Another disturbing incident took place today where Boston Police officers were assaulted by a member of the public," Flynn wrote. "It should never be acceptable to assault a police officer or first responders."
Earlier in the day, Mayor Michelle Wu was seen appearing to check on police officers by an ambulance outside the building. She released a statement Friday afternoon thanking police.
"I'm always grateful for the service of our Boston Police and Municipal Protective Services officers at City Hall, who everyday help ensure a welcoming environment for residents and visitors to the building for constituent services and events. But today I'm especially thankful for their quick response to protect staff and members of the public. No officer should be subjected to injury or harm for doing their job, and I wish them a quick recovery," she said.
