By Tiffany Williams –
Eyad Abbas was arraigned in the West Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court before Judge Maureen S. Flaherty on Monday morning. Abbas faced several serious charges, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property (motor vehicle), and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
The incident took place on July 18, 2024, around 7:46 p.m. when Boston Police responded to a report of a stolen black BMW X7 at 66 Hyde Park Ave, near the Forest Hills T Station.
Upon arriving at the scene officers approached the vehicle and engaged in a conversation with Abbas, he abruptly put the car in reverse in an attempt to flee. In doing so, he injured one officer who had placed his hands on the car, and then drove forward, striking another officer. The second officer discharged his service weapon, hitting Abbas in the face and causing the stolen vehicle to collide with a parked car.
The injured officer sustained multiple broken bones and lacerations, including a severe head wound, and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Abbas also suffered injuries and was transported to a hospital before his arraignment on Monday, where he appeared with a noticeable facial wound.
Abbas, who has a lengthy record of arrests and arraignments dating back to 2019, was ordered by Judge Flaherty to be held without bail at the Suffolk County Jail. He is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing at the West Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court on July 29, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
During a media briefing on July 18, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin R. Hayden and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox provided details and emphasized that the incident was under thorough investigation. Hayden stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive inquiry to gain a complete understanding of the facts and circumstances surrounding the area, particularly regarding the sequence of events leading to the shooting of Abbas.
Boston Police Commissioner Cox mentioned that the Boston Police Department Firearms Discharge Team was handling the investigation.
Furthermore, DA Hayden addressed the community, emphasizing the importance of their involvement in the investigation and urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Following Abbas’ arraignment, District Attorney Hayden highlighted the extreme danger posed by Abbas’ actions and emphasized the potentially grave outcomes that could result from such behavior. He also expressed relief that the involved officers survived the incident, underlining the inherent risks that law enforcement officers face in the line of duty.