Man opens fire on Rowes Wharf with a flare gun, attacks responding cops with uncapped hypodermic needles, police say

Boston Police report a South Boston man is at a local hospital for treatment and waiting arraignment on charges he fired several flares at Rowes Wharf, causing damage to both the Boston Harbor Hotel and boats docked there and for the hypodermic needles he threw at responding officers, one of whom was stabbed by one of them after the man had been cuffed.

Police report officers responded to the water side of the hotel around 8 p.m. on Saturday on reports somebody was shooting flares at the Rowes Wharf docks.

Officers observed the suspect, later identified as a 35-year-old male from South Boston, standing on top of a cargo container lighting incendiary devices while yelling threatening statements. Upon seeing the approaching officers, the suspect became increasingly agitated and began throwing various items toward them including several uncapped hypodermic needles. Despite the officers’ attempts to verbally de-escalate the situation, the suspect refused to come down and then began to stab himself in the arm with what appeared to be a hypodermic needle. Officers quickly climbed atop the shipping container and attempted to help the man down, but he immediately became physically combative and a struggle ensued. After the man was placed in handcuffs, one of the officers felt a sharp pain which appeared to be from one of the uncapped hypodermic needles thrown by the subject.

Once released from the hospital, the man, whom police did not name, will face arraignment on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, vandalism, trespassing and disturbing the peace, police say, adding that the officer stuck by the needle was immediately rushed to a local hospital for treatment.