A Boston police officer faced an unruly crowd while attempting to detain a man on a darkened street, according to video footage. The incident, captured and initially reported by Mass Daily News, shows the officer struggling with an individual before the crowd began to interfere.
As the officer neared placing the suspect under arrest, individuals in the crowd started throwing liquid and a glass item that shattered near the officer. The commotion allowed the suspect to break free from the officer's grasp and flee the scene. The video also captured screaming, car horns blaring, and cheers from the crowd as the suspect escaped.
The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association (BPPA) condemned the incident, reposting the video with the caption, "Completely unacceptable." The association stated, "The disrespect is alarmingly disgraceful. This is Boston at its worst. If you think this type of behavior is remotely acceptable, you’ve lost your mind. Our cops deserve better."
Online reactions to the footage expressed disgust and concern over the perceived lack of respect for authority. Some commenters attributed the situation to the city's leadership.
The incident occurred around the same time that other crime incidents have been reported in Boston. Earlier this week, three men were shot in the city's Theater District, which witnesses linked to a moped theft. The day prior, a shooting in the Mattapan neighborhood resulted in one fatality and four injuries.
It remains unclear when exactly the incident occurred, as the footage was originally posted to TikTok on Monday. The Boston Police Department has been contacted for comment.