At about 1:30pm, on Sunday, January 2, 2011, officers arrested Marcel Henderson, 39 of Quincy and charged him with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Carrying of a Loaded Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm: Second and Subsequent Offense, Possession of a High Capacity Firearm and Being an Armed Career Criminal.
Officers\’ attention was drawn to the suspect when he failed to stop for a red light at the intersection of Warren and Dale Streets. Officers followed the suspect to the intersection of Warren and Waverly Streets where a traffic stop was conducted. While approaching the car, officers noted that the suspect attempted to exit his car. The suspect was asked for his license and, instead, handed his wallet to officers. The suspect was told to produce his license and his wallet was then handed back to him. During the traffic stop, officers noticed that the suspect began to tighten and stiffen up as they interacted with him. Officers asked the suspect why he was so nervous and he responded that he was paralyzed. Officers continued to observe the suspect and noticed that he had positioned his right hand at his right hip area and pressed the hand against his body as he looked around as if looking for an escape route. These behaviors caused officers concern as the suspect was exhibiting signs and signals of an armed person. Fearing that the suspect may be armed, officers decided to conduct a pat frisk of the suspect.
When officers attempted to pat frisk the suspect, the suspect moved his body causing the officer’s hand to strike a hard object at his side. The suspect then pushed one of the officers and attempted to run toward the back of the car. Officers pursued the suspect toward the rear of the vehicle where he discarded his jacket in an effort to avoid being apprehended. Officers caught up with the suspect where he violently fought them while they tried to disarm him after they observed a gun sticking out from his side.
After a lengthy struggle, officers were able to subdue the suspect and recover a loaded semi-automatic firearm.