A man in his 20s was fatally shot at 891 Centre Street around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to police. The man, who police have not yet identified, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Josiah Zachery, 18, of Hyde Park, was arrested on suspicion of murder, police said in a statement.
According to Boston Police, an officer on patrol in the area heard shots fired and pursued a man and a woman fleeing the scene. At least one of the suspects fired at, but did not hit the officer before both were taken into custody.
Details surrounding the incident are under investigation, including the suspects’ possible association with a van belonging to Roca, a non-profit program that seeks to keep young people out of jail, Police Commissioner William Evans told the Boston Globe.
BPD’s original press release is below:
At about 10:35 AM on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, while on patrol an officer from District E-13 (Jamaica Plain) heard shots fired and observed a person shot in the area of 891 Centre Street. Officers pursued two individuals on foot and a firearm was pointed at the officers by at least one of the individuals as they fled the scene. Officers continued pursuit without regard for their own safety and were able to detain two individuals a short distance from the scene. Officers located a male in his twenties suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
After further investigation, one of the individuals initially detained, 18-year-old Josiah Zachery of Hyde Park, was arrested and charged with the homicide. A firearm was also recovered during the investigation. Zachery is charged with Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon on a Police Officer.
“The officer who was fired upon showed tremendous restraint and courage when chasing an armed assailant,” said Commissioner Evans. “The actions of all my officers today, along with the cooperation from the community, ensured that a dangerous individual and a gun are off the streets.”
The Boston Police Homicide Unit continues to actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is asked to call Boston Police Homicide Detectives directly at (617) 343-4470.
Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help this investigation in an anonymous manner.
