The Boston police officer who was shot multiple times Friday night while responding to a robbery in the city’s Roxbury neighborhood is recovering at a local hospital, while the person believed to be responsible will appear in court on Monday, authorities said.
Boston Police Chief Michael Cox spoke Saturday afternoon about the officer, whose name has not been shared publicly, saying he is recovering at Boston Medical Center with his family. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.
“Last night one of our officers faced one of the most dangerous situations any police officer could face and we are very, very lucky and blessed in so many ways that he is going to survive,” Cox said. “We want to say thank you for all the support we’ve been getting for him and his family and our department across the country and more importantly right here in the state from a number of people.”
The officer, who was wearing full Boston police uniform with badge and body camera, was injured Friday night when he was shot while on patrol in the area of 44 Cedric Street around 9:18 p.m., according to a report from the incident released by the Boston Police Department.
The officer was in the area due to an armed robbery of a pizza delivery man that had occurred two nights earlier when he saw a man matching the suspect’s description pointing a gun at a Dominos pizza delivery man.
According to the police report, the officer was approaching when the suspect, later identified as John Lazare, fired at the officer and then fled to the Cedric Street building.
The officer radioed that he had been hit multiple times, once specifically in the foot and back, according to the report.
Officers converged and began searching the area for the suspect, who was seen on the roof to the left of the warehouse. According to the report, the suspect jumped off the roof and landed in a nearby alley, injuring his leg. He was immediately taken into custody and transported to Beth Israel Hospital for evaluation of his “self-inflicted leg injury.”
The police report indicates Dominos ice glasses, money, a cell phone and a Dominos receipt were found in the alley where the suspect was handcuffed.
Two other officers were injured in the chase, but not by gunfire. Cox would not address the nature of his injuries Saturday, but said the culprit was chased across rooftops and other things and his injuries were a result of that.
The police commissioner said they are investigating whether it was the same pizza delivery man who was mugged on both Wednesday and Friday, noting there is still a long way to go in this investigation.
John Lazare, 23, of Brockton, will be arraigned Monday morning in Roxbury District Court on various charges, including various firearms-related charges, as well as armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. said the prosecutor.
