Local News

Police Officer’s Shooting Captured on Video, Commissioner Says

By Ellen O’Leary

March 28, 2015

3 minutes to read

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An officer shot just below the eye during a traffic stop remains in critical condition, police said Saturday. Police Commissioner William Evans said details of Officer John Moynihan’s shooting are being investigated through video evidence and eyewitness testimony.

Evans said six members of Boston’s Youth Violence Task Force were in Roxbury responding to reports of shots fired late Friday afternoon or early Friday evening. Around 6:40 p.m., driving two separate cars and flashing blue lights, they made a traffic stop.

All six officers approached the vehicle, and Moynihan was first to the driver’s side of the car.

“Nobody had any indication of what might happen, no guns were drawn. The video is gonna clearly show that,’’ said Evans. “The officer was assisting the driver out without provocation. As the driver is getting out of the motor vehicle, you can see his right arm come up and point-blank shoot Officer Moynihan right below the eye.’’

The other officers gave chase while the suspect, later identified by Boston Police Department as Angelo West, continued to fire with a .357 Magnum, Evans said. Officers shot the suspect, who died on scene.

Even as he thought of his own officer, Evans offered a message to the suspect’s survivors.

“Obviously my thoughts go out to the suspect’s family, because they lost a loved one who I’m sure is special to them, but it’s a tough job and our officers did what they had to do,’’ said Evans.

This isn’t the first time West was involved in gun-related crime. In 2001, West was convicted of two counts of armed assault with intent to murder and firearms charges in that incident. He was sentenced to seven to ten years in state prison, said Jake Wark, spokesman for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.

The Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to requests about West’s time served or date of release.

District Attorney Dan Conley called Friday’s attack a stark reminder of the dangers faced by police officers every time they respond to a call.

“I had the benefit of watching the video that the commissioner alluded to and it was a completely unprovoked attack. The officers pulled over the vehicle. None of them had their guns drawn. All of them were approaching the vehicle in a respectful way, I would suggest,’’ said Conley.

Conley said that First Assistant District Attorney Patrick Haggan will be directing a “completely thorough’’ investigation to determine whether the officers were justified in the shooting.

Evans expressed his support for Moynihan.

“No officer, even were close to having their guns out in this situation. And the DA, I’m hoping, will get that out as quick as possible so there’s no doubt here,’’ said Evans. “We want to be, obviously, as transparent as possible.’’

Evans said that shooting someone is “the worst thing we have to do in our profession,’’ emphasizing that Boston officers use restrain in drawing weapons.

Evans expressed gratitude to the members of the community who stepped forward as witnesses, as well as the exceptional staff at Boston Medical Center.

“I can’t say enough about Kay Walsh, the president of Boston Medical Center, who was with us last night — and the staff down there,’’ said Evans. “They’ve been exceptional. So I know he’s in good hands.’’