At approximately 2:05 AM on Thursday, July 9, 2026, officers assigned to District B-2 (Roxbury) made two onsite arrests and recovered a loaded firearm in the area of Magnolia Street and Intervale Street in Dorchester.
While on directed patrol in the area of the aforementioned location, officers observed a motor vehicle which was illegally parked in a posted tow zone. A query of the vehicle led to the discovery that the registered owner had an active felony warrant issued out of South Boston District Court on the charge of Larceny over $1200. Officers waited for additional units to arrive before they approached the suspect as there was a large group of individuals congregating in the area.
With additional units on scene, officers approached the suspect and attempted to place her under arrest. The suspect refused to identify herself and resisted officers as they tried to walk her to the transport vehicle. Eventually, the suspect complied. Officers arrested Dejhaunna Howard-Armstrong, 22-years-old, of Randolph.
Simultaneously, officers on scene approached a group of individuals inside of the park. Upon seeing officers, several members of the group began to walk away. Officers’ attention was drawn to a male who was sitting alone on a bench. The male stood up from the bench and joined the group, leaving behind an unattended backpack. Officers picked up the bag and immediately felt an object that was consistent with the shape of a rifle. The firearm was secured and the male was taken into custody.
The firearm was determined to be an Aero Precision 5.56 NATO rifle loaded with thirty-one rounds of live ammunition. Additionally, a magazine was inside of the backpack containing twenty rounds of live ammunition.
Officers arrested Tahjay Jones, 28-years-old, of Dorchester. Jones is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on charges of Carrying a Loaded Firearm Third Offense, Firearm Possession with Prior Violent/Drug Crime, Possession of Large Capacity Firearm, Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card, and Trespassing.
While officers were attempting to process the scene, the group became increasingly agitated. The unruly group refused to disperse as they continued berating officers, calling them slurs, and challenging them to fights. The group pulled down crime scene tape preserving the evidence and moved toward the inner perimeter of the scene.
Officers arrested Jarell Brown, 27-years-old, of Dorchester. Brown is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court for Disorderly Conduct.