By Matthew Medsger
Boston Herald
BOSTON — Police in Boston say a large group of people took over a city street very early on Sunday morning and attacked officers with fireworks and torched a police cruiser as they were attempting to disperse the crowd.
BPD Commissioner Michael Cox said that officers responded to the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Tremont Street to a report of a “large group of people” engaged in illegal street racing. Police said that participants used several of their cars to “block the intersection, preventing normal traffic flow.”
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“As officers approached the scene, they were met by a pretty large group of people and some of the individuals in the group started to throw cones, poles, and other objects at the officers,” Cox said.
As the police exited their car in an attempt to arrest some of the participants, the violence continued, according to Cox. Some of the law-breakers jumped on the hood of the police car. The police cruiser was hit with fireworks and then caught fire.
“One vehicle was damaged by fire and was totaled,” Cox said.
Video footage taken at the scene of the incident by YouTube user External Affairs Porter shows the crowd dispersed, but a Boston Police SUV with its passenger compartment completely engulfed in flames until it was doused by firefighters.
With the assistance of “additional units from across the city,” officers were eventually able to disperse the crowd using “department-issued equipment,” according to the BPD. The Boston Fire Department responded to extinguish the burning police cruiser, “which was ultimately destroyed by fire and later towed from the scene.”
No officers were injured, according to Cox.
Police managed to apprehend two Rhode Island men who allegedly participated in the mayhem: Julian Bowers, 18, of Cumberland, and William Cantwell, 19, of Warwick.
Bowers, “was placed under arrest after being observed throwing objects at officers and their cruiser” and following a brief foot chase, police said. Cantwell was “observed repeatedly striking a cruiser with an orange pole” and taken into custody “following a brief struggle.”
Both men face charges of malicious destruction of property over $1200, disorderly conduct, assault and battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest. Cantwell faces an additional charge for possessing a class D substance. Both men are due to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court .
The pair represent just a fraction of the law breaking police witnessed on Sunday morning, according to Cox.
More than 100 people joined in the illegal gathering, and the commissioner is hoping that some of the participants realize that assaulting the officers was wrong enough they would be willing to turn in their peers.
“We are asking for the public’s help and support on this,” he said. “There were a lot of people out there, there is tons of video.”
One way or the other, Cox said, the BPD will get to the bottom of what happened and find the people responsible.
“We do not tolerate this behavior. We will spare no expense or resources making sure we hold the people accountable that are out there doing that,” he said.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu described the crowd as “outside individuals who came into our city to cause disorder.” She said all of them will be found and will face justice. She had a message for anyone with a similar concept of what constitutes a fun Saturday night.
“Do not come into Boston to disrespect our community, and cause harm and disorder. You are not welcome here. These outside groups are not welcome to come and treat our city this way,” she said.
City Councilor Ed Flynn said via social media that it is “never acceptable to assault police officers or first responders.”
“This morning’s violent assault on the men and women [of the BPD] in the South End/ Roxbury must be prosecuted. If convicted, a state sentence is warranted,” he wrote.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve , a former member of the Baker Administration , said in a statement that “These attacks on the police are unacceptable. We need strong leadership that will support our police and stop the escalation of violence. This is not a time for the Governor to be MIA.”
Mike Kennealy, another Baker Admin alumnus seeking the governor’s office, noted that in 2020, Gov. Maura Healey infamously said “America is burning, but that’s how forests grow.” Healey later said she regretted her comments.
“Since then, she and Michelle Wu have shown no interest in public safety,” Kennealy said. “If you think stopping violence like this is important, vote for me in 2026.”
In a comment shared by the governor’s spokesperson, Healey told the Herald that anyone who acts as those involved in Sunday’s street takeover should see the book thrown at them.
“Let me be perfectly clear. Anyone who targets police and destroys police property, or who comes to Massachusetts and engages in dangerous and destructive conduct like Saturday night’s drag racing and out of control attack, should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. I’m grateful for the work of law enforcement who responded to the scene, and the Massachusetts State Police and my administration will assist in any way to hold accountable those responsible,” Healey said.
Anyone with information which might help police get to the bottom of who is responsible for the early Sunday morning illegality is strongly urged to contact District D-4 Detectives at (617) 343-4683.
This story was updated to include a late filed comment from Gov. Maura Healey’s office.
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