BOSTON (WHDH) - A Randolph man who fled an attempted traffic stop near Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain and shot at Boston police officers suffered life-threatening injuries when those officers returned fire early Thursday morning, authorities said.
Officers attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop near the hospital in the area of the Franklin Park Zoo shortly before 1 a.m. but the driver abruptly exited his vehicle and fled on foot, according to the Boston Police Department.
During a subsequent pursuit, 31-year-old Jeff Anilus allegedly turned around, pointed a gun at the officers who were giving chase, and shot at them. Police say several officers then returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times.
“The suspect turned around, pointed a firearm at the officers, and discharged directly at them,” Boston Police Superintendent-in-Chief Gregory Long said. “At this time, several officers discharged their firearms.”
Anilus was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
A number of police officers, including one who suffered a minor injury, were also transported from the scene for evaluation.
Police noted that a firearm was recovered at the scene of the shootout. Using a drone overhead and metal detectors to scan the ground for shell casings, investigators spent hours processing the crime scene.
The Boston Police Firearm Discharge Investigation Team and the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office are investigating.
District Attorney Kevin Haden said he was relieved there was no loss of life but is still outraged by the number of illegal guns on the streets.
It will be up to the DA to determine whether the police-involved shooting was justified.
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