Authorities say suspect put gun to trooper’s head in Roslindale
One of the suspects arrested after Tuesday’s gunfire exchange in Roslindale allegedly put a gun to an undercover trooper’s head during the incident, the Suffolk District Attorney’s office said in a statement Wednesday.
Eric Rosado-Gonzalez, 25, of Dorchester, and Luis Colon, 25, of Lawrence, were both held on $500,000 cash bail at their arraignments Wednesday.
Rosado-Gonzalez was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, and armed assault with intent to rob. Colon was charged with armed assault with intent to murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a residence.
Authorities told the court that Boston and state police were in the area of 37 Newburg St. Tuesday afternoon as part of an investigation into drug and gun sales in Roslindale. Rosado-Gonzalez allegedly offered to sell undercover troopers several firearms after selling them heroin on three prior occasions.
Law enforcement personnel investigate the scene Tuesday.
The DA’s office said a $1,800 deal for two handguns and an Uzi submachine gun was arranged for Tuesday. When the undercover troopers came to the Newburg Street meeting, Colon directed one of them to enter the residence, according to authorities. The trooper declined but agreed to make the exchange on the porch.
Rosado-Gonzalez then allegedly approached the second trooper, who was in a vehicle, took out a gun, and put it to the trooper’s head. The trooper struggled with Rosado-Gonzalez and managed to remove him from the vehicle, the DA’s office said.
During this time, Colon allegedly took out his own gun and engaged in a struggle with the first trooper. Colon and the trooper both fired their weapons but no one was hit by the gunfire, according to the DA’s office. At a Tuesday night press conference, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said, “The suspect fired first.”
Both suspects fled the area. Colon was captured a few blocks away close to a handgun, while Rosado-Gonzalez was apprehended later Tuesday night after a search of the area, authorities said. Rosado-Gonzalez gave a statement in which he “essentially admitted” to orchestrating what he intended to be a robbery, according to the DA’s office.
“These defendants allegedly set in motion events that could have gotten someone shot or much, much worse,” Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said. “We’re extremely lucky that no one was seriously hurt.”
Both defendants are expected back in court on October 28.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com