Yesterday, Sunday, July 25, 2010 morning around 12:59AM, officers from District A-7 (East Boston) were on patrol in the area of Gove and Havre Streets when they observed two small groups standing at the intersection about ten yards from each other. Officers also made note of the fact that there was a car parked nearby with the trunk open and the front passenger door open.
As officers approached the group to further investigate, a male standing in the group was observed raising his arm with a gun in hand and shooting towards a member of the other group which was standing approximately ten (10) yards from where the suspect was standing. Officers, in an attempt to keep the suspect from firing any more shots at the victims, sounded the cruiser air horn and exited the cruiser to apprehend the suspect. As officers got out of the cruiser, the suspect fired two more shots at the victim then made eye contact with the officer. Offices withdrew their firearm and ordered the suspect to drop his weapon at which time the suspect ran toward the car that was parked nearby but the car took off leaving the suspect.
The suspect then took off on foot with several other members of the group pursued by the officers. Officers pursued the suspects down an alley and eventually into 110 Paris Street. At 110 Paris Street, officers with the assistance of numerous units were able to make entry into an apartment after observing a resident peering out in the hallway of the building. Officers entered the apartment and there located the suspect who had been observed shooting the gun. Officers had conversation with the tenants of the apartment and learned that the suspect who is unknown to them ran into their apartment without their permission.
The victim of the shooting was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital suffering a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Officers searched the area where the suspect had been seen fleeing and recovered a firearm. The suspect, Jose R. Soto, 20 of Chelsea was arrested and charged with Assault with Intent to Murder, Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Possession of a Firearm with Obliterated Serial Number, Possession of a Loaded Firearm, and Discharging a Firearm a Firearm with 500’ of a Dwelling.
The suspect will be arraigned today at East Boston District Court.