Last night around 8:15pm, officers from the District E-18 (Hyde Park) Drug Control Unit (DCU) initiated a drug investigation after making observations of a car, which were consistent with drug dealing in the area of River and Mattapoisett Streets. Officers followed the car to further investigate, and while doing so learned that the car had a revoked registration and no insurance. DCU officers alerted marked units to conduct a traffic stop based on this violation, and the suspected drug activities.At the intersection of River and Gordon Streets, marked police units stopped the car due to the revoked registration and no insurance. During the traffic stop while officers were speaking to the occupants of the car, a passenger in the rear right side pulled out a handgun, pointed at officers on the passenger side and fired the gun through the rear passenger side window. One of the officers returned fire striking the vehicles left fender. Officers immediately entered the rear seat compartment of the car and engaged the suspect. After a violent struggle, officers were able to subdue the suspect, recover the firearm and place him under arrest before he could again fire at the officers.
The three other occupants of the car were detained and taken to be interviewed. The suspect, John Mentor, 23, of Hyde Park was arrested and charged with four counts of Assault with Intent to Murder, four counts of Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition and Discharging a Firearm within 500’ of a Dwelling.
The operator of the car was cited for Operating an Uninsured and Unregistered Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Class D.
The Boston Police Firearm Discharge Team is investigating this incident.

Last night around 8:15pm, officers from the District E-18 (Hyde Park) Drug Control Unit (DCU) initiated a drug investigation after making observations of a car, which were consistent with drug dealing in the area of River and Mattapoisett Streets. Officers followed the car to further investigate, and while doing so learned that the car had a revoked registration and no insurance. DCU officers alerted marked units to conduct a traffic stop based on this violation, and the suspected drug activities.At the intersection of River and Gordon Streets, marked police units stopped the car due to the revoked registration and no insurance. During the traffic stop while officers were speaking to the occupants of the car, a passenger in the rear right side pulled out a handgun, pointed at officers on the passenger side and fired the gun through the rear passenger side window. One of the officers returned fire striking the vehicles left fender. Officers immediately entered the rear seat compartment of the car and engaged the suspect. After a violent struggle, officers were able to subdue the suspect, recover the firearm and place him under arrest before he could again fire at the officers.
The three other occupants of the car were detained and taken to be interviewed. The suspect, John Mentor, 23, of Hyde Park was arrested and charged with four counts of Assault with Intent to Murder, four counts of Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition and Discharging a Firearm within 500’ of a Dwelling.
The operator of the car was cited for Operating an Uninsured and Unregistered Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Class D.
The Boston Police Firearm Discharge Team is investigating this incident.