BOSTON — A dramatic scene unfolded in Boston’s Back Bay Tuesday after police responded to a 911 call about a knife-wielding man threatening bystanders.
Cell phone video captured around 1:30 p.m. shows that man running from officers.
Cell video captured from Northeastern dorm window shows Boston officers swarming armed man, subduing suspect w/ beanbag rounds. Officer also suffered non-life threatening injuries during ordeal. Latest on #Boston25 AT 5 & 6 pic.twitter.com/XWQFZhCpgR
— Drew Karedes (@DrewKaredes) January 18, 2022
Police used a bean bag round to subdue the suspect by the intersection of Huntington Avenue and Mass Ave, near Boston Symphony Orchestra and Northeastern University.
The arrest happened across the street from the Midtown Hotel, which is currently being used as a Northeastern dorm.
“They were shouting at him to drop it. He was threatening them,” said Northeastern freshman Abigail Klinge. “I’m happy at how police handled the situation. Even though we were close, I didn’t feel in danger.”
Northeastern students who watched the arrest said the man did not surrender willingly.
“He kept running and was resilient to whatever orange bean bags they were using,” said Northeastern freshman Ella Hamilton.
Police got the man on the ground before he could make it any further.
Witnesses saw the suspect strapped onto a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance.
“I texted my friend and said I feel like I’m watching a movie scene in real life,” said Northeastern freshman Ishaan Desai.
Huntington closed to traffic at Mass Ave after BPD officers subdue man w/ knife. Police say suspect was making threats #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/umj4jdYskt
— Drew Karedes (@DrewKaredes) January 18, 2022
The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, is expected to be booked into jail after an evaluation.
Boston Police identified the suspect as Carmen Polito, 39-years-old, from Brockton, Mass., Tuesday evening.
Polito is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on Wednesday, where he’ll face the following charges — 2 counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon, and 1 count of resisting arrest.
Polito is also facing 2 felony warrants out of Cambridge, Mass, according to Boston Police.
Huntington Avenue and Mass Avenue were reopened as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
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