BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A suspect is dead and a hospital valet is in critical condition after a shooting at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a chase through Boston and Brookline that ended in a crash on Route 9.
The incident left residents shocked, and police analyzing two different shooting scenes—one at the hospital, where officers fired on the suspect and a valet was struck by a bullet, and another on Route 9, where police shot and killed the suspect.
"Certainly, this is not the way that any of us expected Friday morning to start here in the city," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said at a press conference Friday afternoon. "I want to commend the work this morning of the Boston Police Department ... Incredible work, a lot of danger out there, a lot of people put their life on the line."
Boston Police Superintendent In Chief Gregory Long said it all began around 9:21 a.m. when officers were called to Vining Street and Fenwood Road for reports of a person with a gun.
When they got there, they found the adult male suspect standing near the entrance to the hospital, and said he pulled out "what appeared to be a firearm." Officers fired at him, and Supt. Long said the suspect "physically assaulted" one officer before getting in a car and driving off.
"It was chaos, cops everywhere," witness Tammy Tene told WBZ-TV. "At least 15 or 18 shots. It was like one after another. Everybody was running all over ... He got in a car. The cops started chasing him."
Police were made aware that a 49-year-old hospital valet was struck by gunfire at the scene. That man was taken to the hospital's emergency department immediately, and is currently in critical condition.
"On behalf of the City of Boston and Town of Brookline, our prayers go out to the victim here," Walsh said. "He's in one of the best hospitals in the world, and hopefully he'll be a speedy recovery."
Hospital officials told WBZ NewsRadio that an active shooter alert was issued earlier Friday morning. The all-clear was given shortly after, and there is no current threat on campus.
Meanwhile, the suspect drove onto Huntington Avenue and then on into Brookline, with State, Brookline, and Boston police in pursuit. He eventually crashed into several other vehicles near 1195 Boylston Street.
Long said the suspect got out of the car and again pulled out a weapon. Long said several officers told the suspect to drop it, but he did not listen. Several officers, including a State Police trooper, opened fire on him.
The suspect was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. He has not yet been identified.
Long said several Boston Police officers were also taken to various Boston-area hospitals to be evaluated, but that all had been released.
Boston Police are asking anyone who witnessed any part of the incident, or anyone who might have video of any part of the incident, to call them at 617-343-4470, or via their tipline, at 1-800-434-TIPS.
Massachusetts State Police Col. Christopher Mason said the shooting scene on Route 9 would be busy into the evening.
"I can tell you that there will be significant work that is still being done at the scene in Brookline," he said.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports
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