Seeing Something Suspicious Enables Sharp-eyed Officers to Run Down and Arrest One for Illegal Gun Possession

At about 1:04am, on Monday, February 27, 2012, officers assigned to the Youth Violence Strike Force were on patrol in the area of the Quincy Street and Howard Ave. Officers were in the midst of a conversation with an individual when officers observed a person known to them through previous interactions acting suspiciously. Specifically, officers observed the suspect walking and moving in such a way as if to suggest he was in possession of a weapon. When the suspect observed the officers, the suspect abruptly changed direction and then repeatedly kept looking back at the officers after doing so as he attempted to put some distance between their position and his own. Officers noted that, as the suspect moved away from them, he kept clutching at something located in his waist area. Fearing the presence of a firearm, officers made a decision to approach the suspect. While the officers were approaching, the suspect looked back and then took off running at a full sprint in an effort to make good his escape. Again, as the suspect was running, officers observed the suspect clutching at his waist area in such a way as if to suggest the possession of a weapon.

While chasing behind the suspect on foot, officers observed the suspect toss what appeared to be a firearm over a fence into a vacant lot. A search of the area enabled officers to see and take possession of a silver-colored firearm.

Officers were able to catch up to and subdue the suspect.

Officers arrested Kaamil Reese, 17, of Boston and charged him with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition and the Unlawful Possession of a Loaded Firearm.