Man grabs officer's gun near Massachusetts General Hospital and shoots himself in foot, Boston police say
A man grabbed a police officer's gun near Massachusetts General Hospital Tuesday morning and shot himself in the foot with it, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said.
The man, later identified as 46-year-old Elvis Haughton of Boston, was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound that was not considered to be life-threatening. Cox said Haughton, who appeared to be experiencing a mental health issue, "knocked the hat off of the officer, and began to grapple with the officer" who was working a detail on Cambridge Street just before 8:45 a.m.
"The suspect took the officer's gun and ended up hurting himself, shooting himself with it," Cox said. "We are very thankful that no one was seriously injured."
Eddie Rivera was working nearby when he said he heard a gunshot and police scream for help.
"I ran across the street and I jumped on the guy, straddled his chest and then I grabbed his arm. Apparently, he took the cop's gun and he shot himself," Rivera told reporters.
Rivera said he shot cellphone video once the man was subdued. "He was just a little disoriented," Rivera said. "He sat on the pavement for several minutes in handcuffs."
Bystanders help detain man in Boston shooting
Cox thanked bystanders who helped the officer detain Haughton. He said the officer, who has not been identified, is doing OK.
A large investigation was launched because the incident involved an officer's gun, Cox said. Haughton is charged with assault and battery on a police officer, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a class C substance and resisting arrest. He was arraigned Wednesday in Boston Municipal Court and ordered held without bail. He's due back in court on June 2.
Cox and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu addressed the incident at a summer safety news conference in Dorchester Tuesday. Wu praised Boston's police officers "for their vigilance 24 hours a day."
"There's always something that pops up and the job of our officers, whether they're officially on duty or they're working a detail or even sometimes if they're off duty with their families, is a constant call," Wu said. "So I want to thank them again for everything."
MGH operating normally after nearby shooting
A spokesperson for MGH said the hospital stayed open and operated "normally" Tuesday.
