BOSTON — Two young men were arrested and a firearm was recovered during a basketball tournament at Malcolm X Park in Roxbury, Boston Police Department’s Youth Violence Strike Force reported.
At about 9:36 p.m., on Wednesday, July 3, officers assigned to the Youth Violence Strike Force took into custody Anthony Diaz, 18, of Malden, for firearm-related offenses and Braxten Baker, 18, of Brockton, for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Police were on directed patrol at the park to ensure public safety during the event when they noticed Diaz and Baker, who appeared disinterested in the game and were instead focusing on the patrolling officers.
Over time, officers observed behavior in one of the suspects that suggested he was carrying a firearm, prompting an investigation.
As officers approached Diaz, who attempted to leave the tournament early, he started to run but was quickly apprehended.
A struggle ensued, and officers found a black Ruger semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number and a “six ray” laser attachment on Diaz.
The firearm was loaded with six rounds of .22 caliber ammunition in the magazine and one round in the chamber.
Baker was arrested after he tried to intervene in Diaz’s arrest, pushing himself into the scene and physically interfering with officers as they handcuffed Diaz.
Diaz is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Baker will also be arraigned in Roxbury District Court on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
