At about 12:45 PM, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, officers assigned to District E-5 (West Roxbury) arrested Brendan Donovan, 45, of South Boston, on firearm charges.
A detective was on patrol in the area of Centre Street and Lorette Street when he observed an individual holding a duffel bag on a scooter fail to stop for the red light. The detective further observed the scooter to now operate on the sidewalk towards Temple Street, and park in the parking lot at 7 Spring Street.
The detective also observed two individuals wearing masks walking from the same area. The detective maintained surveillance on all the individuals who now met up in the parking lot behind an unoccupied van. The detective could see the two individuals speaking with Donovan who was still straddling the scooter.
The detective requested additional units for assistance to stop the group, and approached the group with a walking beat officer. The detective immediately observed a firearm inside Donovan’s waistband, and removed it which was determined to be a less lethal CO2 firearm.
Assisting officers arrived on scene and removed the suspect from the scooter and the green duffle bag he was holding was placed on the sidewalk. Officers conducted a pat frisk of the bag and recovered an AR-15 Camouflage Assault Rifle, with two magazines containing thirty rounds and twenty-seven rounds.
The Less Lethal firearm was determined to be a Byrna Less Lethal Pistol with eight projectiles in the magazine. Officers also recovered a small plastic bag of Fentanyl from inside the duffel bag. The scooter was towed from the scene as it had no registration, and the other two individuals were identified and released from the scene.
Donovan was placed under arrest and is expected to be arraigned in West Roxbury District Court for the following charges:
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- Unlawful Possession of Ammunition
- Unlawful Possession of a Rifle
- Two Counts of Unlawful Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device
- Possession of Class A