At approximately 5:34 PM on Monday, October 12, 2026, officers assigned to District D-4 (South End) responded to a radio call for an assault and battery in progress in the area of 1535 Washington Street (Blackstone Square) in the South End.
While enroute, officers received information via BPD Operations that a black male wearing a mask was assaulting victims and attempting to kick multiple dogs inside of the park.
Upon arrival, several individuals pointed out the suspect to the responding officer. As the officer approached the suspect, he began to walk away, ignoring all verbal commands given by the officer. As a second officer arrived at the scene, the suspect continued to ignore the officers’ commands to show them his hands, which were obscured. At this time, the suspect rolled up his sleeves and took a fighting stance in front of 35 W Newton Street before attempting to get into the building. As officers tried to prevent the suspect from entering the building, he wound up and punched the officer in the face. The initial responding officer deployed his taser, which briefly incapacitated the suspect.
As the two officers attempted to place the suspect into custody, the suspect regained his strength and a violent struggle ensued. With the assistance from additional responding officers and civilians, the suspect was eventually taken into custody.
After detaining the suspect, officers were able to speak with the victims. The first victim stated the suspect knocked his cellphone out of his hand then picked it up and fled with it. Officers retrieved the victim’s phone from the suspect and returned it to him. The second victim stated the suspect approached him, grabbed his wrist, and demanded his watch. The victim stated he refused and then the suspect followed him deeper into the park where he shoved the victim to the ground and punched him in the face. The third victim stated that she was walking her dog inside of the park and was threatened by the suspect that he would kill her.
Officers arrested Sharkell Tariq Matthews, 26-years-old, of Cambridge. Matthews is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on charges of Unarmed Assault to Rob, two counts of Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Assault and Battery on an Elderly Person, Assault, and Resisting Arrest.
The two initial responding officers were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.