BOSTON — One person was shot by a Massachusetts State Trooper during a pursuit along I-93 South in Boston on Saturday evening.
The shooting happened around 5 p.m. during a pursuit where police were attempting to stop a group of people riding motor bikes and ATVs along the interstate.
"It was just absolute madness," said Jerry Comerford, a witness. "I could just hear tires screeching and coming to a halt. I thought someone crashed and so I peeked out and I'm watching, they (had) set like a barricade for these guys."
Comerford was in the back of an Uber watching the end of the chase on the ramp from 93 south to exit 18. His friend Danny caught it all on camera.
"There were just like 20, 30 dudes like flying down the highway with dirt bikes and heaving them over the barriers trying to escape and trying to run," said Comerford.
State Police said the riders had been causing problems all day. They confirmed one suspect was shot by a trooper during an arrest attempt.
Preliminary investigation indicated that approximately 25-35 individuals were riding off-road bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs in a reckless manner.
At least seven people have been arrested.
MassDOT temporarily shut down exit 18 off 93 due to police activity, causing delays that reach back to the Zakim Bridge.
The person shot, identified only as a 28-year-old Randolph man, has sustained non-life threatening injuries.
He was transported to Boston Medical Center for treatment.
A trooper, who sustained a knee injury during the chase, was transported to the Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment.
"I heard two gunshots 'bop bop' - it was like the realest thing I've ever seen," said Comerford. "It was intense, super intense, like my heart is still pumping now. I wasn't expecting a shootout from like three feet away from the Uber I'm in so it was absolute madness."
The incident remains under investigation by Troopers assigned to Troop H, Troop E, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and Crime Scene Services Section. Boston Police are also assisting in the investigation into the group’s reckless operation.
If anyone has any information about this investigation, please contact the State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County at (617) 727-8817.