Police: Slippery-fingered man drops loaded gun during East Boston fight; intended victim's mom picks it up and tries to flee

Boston Police report arresting two men they say were involved in a fight on South Bremen Street in East Boston on Sunday afternoon that seemed about to turn violent when one of them pulled out a loaded 9-mm Beretta 92 FS - only he lost his grip and it fell to the ground.

Police say the fight, involving several people broke out around 4 p.m. outside the apartments at 30 South Bremen St. Kii Hicks, 31, of Dorchester, who has a job nearby in Maverick Square, was punching an opponent when the victim's mother saw what was happening and tried to intercede, police say.

Hicks produced the 9mm firearm and pointed it at the woman and her son, the suspect somehow dropped the handgun, at which time the female took hold of the weapon and attempted to flee to protect her son from any further harm.

And then, police say:

As the mother fled with the handgun cradled against her body, she was approached by Remi Jones, 26, of East Boston, who grabbed the female victim and physical assaulted her while trying to take the firearm away from her.

Hicks was charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon, police say. His home and work addresses are listed on the state's sexual-offender Web site because of a 2017 conviction for sexual trafficking.

Jones was charged with unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon and attempted armed robbery, police say.

Innocent, etc.