Police: Shots Fired At Mass. Eye And Ear Infirmary

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Parts of Boston were blocked off near Charles Street on Wednesday after police say a man shot an officer while inside the emergency room section of a hospital.

According to Boston Police, a Deputy Sheriff was shot at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary by a suspect that had arrived at the facility from Middlesex County jail.

The suspect, who allegedly grabbed hold of the officer’s weapon before shooting him, was also injured, according to police officials, when a second deputy on scene allegedly pulled out his weapon and shot the inmate in the chest. Officers were not looking for any additional suspects in connection to the shooting after the suspect was apprehended by officials immediately following the incident.

Police said the officer that was injured was shot in the leg, and the suspect sustained a critical injury to the chest and was being treated for his wound at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Parts of the area surrounding the hospital on Charles Street were shut down, and the building was briefly on lockdown during the initial investigation. “Very quickly we realized the victim and suspect were contained,” said Police Commissioner Ed Davis.

Davis said the officers were transporting the inmate, and when they got into the emergency room department a scuffle ensued. That’s when the inmate grabbed the gun of one of the deputies and opened fire.

Officials from Massachusetts Eye and Ear issued the following statement after police arrived and secure the area:

The situation in the Emergency Department is completely secure. No staff or patients were injured. There is still a heavy police presence in the Emergency Department, but we want to reiterate that it is safe for patients and visitors to come and go as needed. Security is in the lobby and are available for you if you need their support.

Both State and local police responded to the scene of the shooting, where yellow tape was put up to keep people from going inside of the building. According to reports, MBTA buses were being called to the hospital so that police could round up witnesses to bring to police headquarters for questioning.

Boston will update this story as more information becomes available.