BOSTON — Boston police officers arrested a 20-year-old Charlestown man on firearm charges Wednesday night following a Shot Spotter activation in Mattapan.
At about 8:47 p.m., officers from District B-3 responded to the area of 180 Stratton Street after the system, designed to detect gunfire, was triggered.
Upon canvassing the vicinity, the police discovered ballistic evidence and observed damage to a motor vehicle as well as to an apartment window.
Utilizing video surveillance, detectives broadcasted a description of potential suspects.
Members of the Youth Violence Strike Force reported seeing the vehicle in question about 20 minutes prior to the shots being fired.
Further investigation led officers to 3 Meadowbank Road, where they spotted the suspect’s vehicle.
The suspect, identified as Jonathan Velazquez, was seen leaving an apartment and getting into the car.
A traffic stop was subsequently conducted at 168 River Street.
Upon checking Velazquez’s credentials, it was determined that his driver’s license was suspended.
He was asked to exit the vehicle, placed in handcuffs, and during an inventory search of the car, a 9mm cartridge was found.
The vehicle was towed and secured as officers sought a search warrant.
Returning to the initial apartment, officers uncovered a loaded thirty-round magazine.
Velazquez now faces charges that include Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Unlawful Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device, Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Building, and Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
He is slated for arraignment in Dorchester District Court.
