The Boston police officer who was shot multiple times Friday night while responding to a robbery in the city's Roxbury neighborhood is recovering at a local hospital, while the person believed to be responsible is due in court Monday, officials said.
Boston police chief Michael Cox spoke Saturday afternoon about the officer, whose name has not been publicly shared, and said he is recovering at Boston Medical Center alongside his family. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.
"Last night one of our officers faced one of the most dangerous situations that any police officer could ever face and we are very, very fortunate and blessed in so many ways that he is going to survive," Cox said. "We want to thank all of the outpouring of support for both he and his family and for our department that we've been receiving throughout the nation and more importantly right here in the state by multiple people."
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The officer, who was in full Boston police uniform with insignia, badge and body camera, was injured Friday night when he was shot while on patrol in the area of 44 Cedric Street around 9:18 p.m., according to an incident report released by the Boston Police Department.
The officer was in the area due to an armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver that had occurred two nights prior when he happened to see a man matching the suspect description pointing a gun at a Dominos pizza delivery driver.
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According to the police report, the officer was approaching when the suspect, later identified as John Lazare, fired shots at the officer and then fled into the Cedric Street building.
The officer radioed that he had been hit multiple times, once specifically stating to the foot and back, the report said.
Officers converged and began canvassing the area for the suspect, who was spotted on the roof-top to the left of the warehouse. According to the report, the suspect then jumped from the roof, landing in a nearby alleyway, injuring his leg. He was immediately taken into custody and transported to Beth Israel Hospital for evaluation of his "self-inflicted leg wound."
The police report states that there were Dominos icing cups, money, a cell phone and a Dominos receipt found in the alleyway where the suspect was handcuffed.
Two other officers were injured in the pursuit, but not from gunfire. Cox wouldn't get into the nature of their injuries on Saturday but said they chased the culprit through rooftops and other things and their injuries were a result of that.
The police commissioner called this another example of "people who have no respect for life in any way, shape or form," and said he wanted to make sure he highlighted how proud he is of the behavior of all of the responding officers.
"If anyone shoots at an officer, they do that at their own peril, but the reality is that sanctity of life is really important...Me personally, I am so proud of the men and women of the Boston Police Department and other officers in the state as well, because we were assisted by the state police last night. When faced with an individual who has shown he will absolutely take someone's life, or try to... these officers did all they could to make sure that we captured the person without any loss of life whatsoever," Cox said. "I'm very, very proud of that in general, and I'm certainly proud of the officer and his behavior."
"He did everything he could to honor the sanctity of life...we had additional officers show up and did the same thing as well, they were actually injured trying to apprehend the suspect, but the fact is they were all professional in what they did," the police commissioner added. "So often you hear throughout the country around police, overresponse or overaggressive behavior, and I'm just here to say that our officers are different, our officers are professional, and we take pride in that, and I take pride in them."
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden spoke alongside Cox on Saturday, saying it's important to express how thankful they are that the officer who was shot is going to be okay, with Cox adding they're so fortunate the officer wasn't hurt worse.
"Any time there's ever a shooting in the City of Boston if the person survives, that is always a good thing," Hayden said. "We're glad that he's recovering and doing well in the hospital."
The DA also noted the incredible restraint shown by first responders, with Cox saying that's really important and he wants to make sure that's not lost on people.
State police released a statement Saturday saying they are praying for a full and speedy recovery for the Boston police officer who was shot, adding that this incident is another reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day and every night as they work to keep the public safe.
"While most of us were home with our families, or out spending time with friends on a Friday night, Police Officers and Troopers were at work, a Boston Police Officer was shot while protecting his city," Col. Jack Mawn wrote. "Policing is a dangerous job. The men and women in this profession wear a bullet proof vest and carry a pistol, just to go to work."
According to state police, through May 31 of this year, 166 officers have been shot in the line of duty across the US -- 20 of them fatally. In the first week of June, three more officers were killed by gunfire.
"We stand with our partners at the Boston Police Department in our shared resolve to make our communities and the Commonwealth safer, so that everyone, regardless of where they live, can enjoy a life free from crime and violence," state police added. "To the public we serve, please know that our commitment to protecting you and your own families and communities will never cease."
Given that Friday's robbery of a pizza delivery driver was the second in two days in the area, Cox said concern from residents is understandable.
"I think anybody should be concerned when people are shooting at police in general...the fact is that violent crime when it occurs is pretty shocking, and when people are shooting at police here, it's even more so...guns are an issue nationwide. I'd have to say that mental health is an issue," Cox said. "We're going to continue to do all we can to keep the public safe, and I think that's what they should walk away with."
The police commissioner said they're investigating if it was the same pizza delivery man who was robbed both Wednesday and Friday, noting there's still a long ways to go in this investigation.
Lazare, 23, of Brockton, will be arraigned Monday morning in Roxbury District Court on several charges, including a number of firearm-related charges, as well as armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, the DA said.
