BOSTON — A city of Boston employee tasked with removing graffiti was arrested on July 30 after he tased a state trooper during a traffic stop, the Boston Globe reported.
The suspect faces a dozen charges, including illegal possession of a machine gun, according to the report.
The incident unfolded at the intersection of Old Colony Avenue and Preble Street just after 9 a.m. when a Massachusetts state trooper pulled the suspect over for excessive window tinting. According to the trooper’s report, what began as a calm exchange quickly escalated after the suspect refused to show the contents of a backpack and attempted to drive away.
Video from the state police cruiser and body-worn camera shows the trooper diving headfirst into the vehicle in an effort to stop it. The trooper used his TASER on the suspect during the struggle, but the trooper was then tased himself after the man allegedly took control of the device. The struggle ended when an off-duty police officer came to assist, and the two were able to subdue and arrest the suspect.
Inside the vehicle, the trooper discovered a loaded 9mm pistol equipped with a switch that made it fully automatic — classified as a machine gun under federal and state law. The suspect did not have a license to carry, according to the report.
The man pleaded not guilty at his July 31 arraignment in South Boston Municipal Court. On Aug. 7, Judge Margaret F. Albertson deemed him dangerous and ordered him held without bail for 120 days.
The suspect, who previously served a five-year sentence in the Department of Youth Services for a juvenile firearms conviction, was hired by the City of Boston 14 months ago. He worked in the property management department’s graffiti removal division. He has since been placed on administrative leave, and Mayor Michelle Wu confirmed the city is reviewing his employment.
Wu said Boston supports second-chance employment opportunities but added, “We have to make sure it’s appropriate.”
On Aug. 27, the Boston City Council agreed to consider a proposal that calls for stricter background checks on city workers, Boston 25 reported.
The case remains under investigation.
