Gotterdammerung on Congress Street: Man yelling about end times punches cop in face, police say

Boston Police report an Everett man began punching an officer in the face around 2 a.m. New Year's Day - and then began screaming about the end of the world as other officers rushed to restrain him.

According to police, the incident happened in front of the City Hall garage on Congress Street:

A male walking on Congress Street crossed in front of the officer's cruiser, approached the open driver's side window, and stated in a loud, clear voice, "You heard about the war, right?" then, without warning, began to violently strike the officer in the face with a closed fist. While still seated, the officer immediately returned closed-fist strikes to the suspect's face, attempting to fend off the attacker while radioing for assistance. The suspect fled on foot into the parking garage, where back-up units found him scaling a fence in an attempt to escape. Using verbal commands and empty-hand control tactics, officers struggled to apprehend the male while he violently and physically resisted arrest and yelled, "You are all doomed, and you're going to die. They told me to do this." Officers were eventually able to handcuff and take the suspect into custody.

The officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment; he's since been released.

Andrew Bowman, 23, was charged with assault and battery on a police officer causing injury, disorderly conduct, trespassing and resisting arrest.

Innocent, etc.