Boston Police Tout Restraint, Faced With Armed Suspect

Boston, MA - A Rhode Island 18-year-old was arrested without incident Tuesday afternoon following a tense standoff with police, guns drawn.

According to the Boston Police Department, Jeffry Ventura, of Pawtucket, was spotted by officers with a gun in his hand after appearing to fire a shot, and then ran toward the police "while attempting to conceal the firearm in his waistband."

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According to police, "The officers drew their department issued firearms and gave the male lawful orders to drop the firearm and put his hands up. After taking several more steps between two parked vehicles, the male placed the firearm on the hood of the vehicle and complied with officers’ orders."

He was placed into custody without further incident, police said, and officers recovered a loaded silver Bersa SA .22 caliber firearm.

Police charged Ventura with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Unlawfully Carrying a Loaded Firearm, and Discharging a Firearm within 500 feet of a Dwelling.

“Time and time again, I have touted the restraint used by my officers in potentially life-threatening situations like this one. The officers and detectives at this incident were faced with an intense scene, but thanks to their training and quick thinking, the incident was quickly and professionally handled," Police Commissioner William Evans said in a statement.

The unspoken subtext of the press release was the way this reflects on Boston after police shootings in Baton Rouge and outside St. Paul garnered viral status, sparking mass outrage and fatal violence against police last week.

It's the second such example of disarming a suspect shared by Boston Police this year, after a North End man wielding butcher knives was reportedly peacefully arrested last month.

Statistics bear out Evans' praise. But whether Boston Police have indeed built trust in the community depends on whom you ask. Patch took an in-depth look at the numbers and public perception this week. Read it in full here:

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>> Photo by christopdesoto via Flickr/Creative Commons