Boston man sentenced to jail for firing at police 11 times during June protests

A Boston man who shot at police 11 times in June 2020 following peaceful protests has been sentenced to five years in prison and three years of supervised release.

John Boampong, 37, pled guilty to several charges in February, including receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment for a felony offense and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts.

“On May 31, a peaceful demonstration in Boston devolved into lawless attacks on property and people — including police officers. Mr. Boampong saw this as the right time to fire 11 rounds in the direction of police officers working a chaotic and dangerous scene. It is only by chance no one was killed,” Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell said in a statement. “Violence leads to no good outcome, and for Mr. Boampong it led to federal charges and prison.”

Thousands gathered peacefully in downtown Boston protesting the murder of George Floyd on May 31, 2020. Hours after the peaceful protestors had disbanded, some people began looting and destroying police cars and other property. 

FBI Boston special agent in charge Joseph Bonavolonta told the Associated Press that Boampong “incited panic” after he fired 11 times in the direction of police. He was driving around the area and told to leave by police officers, but when he didn’t an officer reportedly hit the car’s roof or windshield with a baton. According to police, Boampong drove away but returned, and began firing at officers from his car while parked near Providence Street. 

“Multiple officers took cover by bracing or ducking behind cars and other objects, believing they were being shot at,” a complaint said.

He was among 53 people arrested in the violence following the peaceful protests, in the early hours of June 1, 2020, but the only one arrested for firing a weapon. Boampong already had charges against him from a prior incident, including assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Boston.com reported at the time that 11 9-millimeter shell casings were found in the area, some lodged in a building and others through windows. Two weapons were found in his car when police searched it, along with items believed to have been looted that night.

“In Suffolk County, when people violently disrupt peaceful protesters and put the lives of protesters and the police in danger, they will be held accountable. That is exactly what happened here,” Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said in a statement. “We are grateful to have the partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and fully support its prosecution of this matter.’’

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