2 officers shot in East Boston expected to survive

BOSTON — A 12-year and a nearly 27-year veteran of the Boston Police Department are in critical condition Thursday after an East Boston shooting.

Officer Matt Morris and Officer Richard Cintolo responded to a call for a domestic incident Wednesday night. While inside the home, the suspect, identified as Kirk Figueroa, started shooting at them. Both were critically wounded, and other officers pulled them from the line of fire and began administering first aid.

Morris and Cintolo are being treated at Mass General Hospital and have undergone surgery.

In 2006, Moris was recognized for his bravery in a confrontation with a masked gunman on Blue Hill Avenue and awarded the Hanna Medal of Honor, the highest honor the state can give to a police officer.

"I knew his mother and father he grew up down the street,” former Boston police officer Jim Leahy said. "Just a regular kid from Dorchester, a Neponset kid. A good guy."

Leahy worked with both officers before his retirement in 2005.

"Thank God they're still alive,” he said. "Hoping they'd pull out of it OK. They were shot up pretty bad."

Commissioner William Evans said he's thankful it looks like they'll survive and for the bravery of the officers who helped them.

If you want to donate blood, visit the Red Cross's website to find blood drives near you. If you can't give blood, you can also volunteer at blood drives or work in the Red Cross office. 

Kirk Figueroa was killed in a shoot out. Read more on him here.

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