Boston

Suspect Found Dead After Firing at Police in Jamaica Plain Standoff

A man died Saturday after police say he fired at officers from inside a building in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston.

Police responded to a report of domestic violence around 10 p.m. at 21 Wyman Street, which is across from an elementary school. A male suspect was seen standing outside the home, which was being used as an Airbnb according to investigators, before running inside and shooting at officers, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said.

“When I looked out the window, there was a cop coming up the stairs and he told me, ‘Go back! Go back! Get away from the window!’” said Noelia Pagan, who lives next door and heard several gunshots. "Bang bang! They were just going like this with the guns, but I didn’t hear no argument. I didn’t hear nothing, only the shooting.”

About 15 to 20 people were evacuated from the home and from neighboring buildings. All of them made it okay.

Officials say the suspect smashed a front window and brandished the weapon, and at least one officer fired at the suspect.

Police tried to negotiate with the suspect but they were unable to reach him, so they decided to send in a SWAT team.

“Just a heavy police presence. Police with all their shields and SWAT gear — they were going in and out of this yellow house, I think so they could see into the second floor of the Airbnb,” said Scott Hersey who ended up in the middle of all the chaos.

The unidentified man was found dead from a gunshot wound in the home. It's unclear whether police shot him or he shot himself.

Authorities haven't released the suspect's name but say he lived at the home and helped with the day-to-day operations for the bed and breakfast.

"I want to commend the Boston Police Department and their coordinated multi-unit and jurisdictional response during this dangerous and tense incident and for successfully evacuating the more than 20 guests who were staying at the establishment," Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins said in a statement. "As I have too frequently said, any loss of life is a tragedy and this too is the case here. As the process to notify family members continues, we offer our condolences to his loved ones."

DA Rollins went on to add, "I am grateful for the witnesses who have provided statements to this office. The District Attorney is responsible for every death investigation in Suffolk County and I pledge transparency in these investigations. More information will be made public when it is appropriate to do so."

It's not clear why the suspect shot at police. The incident remains under investigation.

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