BPD Arrest Two + Recover a Firearm Following Shots Fired near Newbury and Fairfield Streets

From BPD News

About 3:54pm on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, officers assigned to District D-4 (South End) responded to a radio call for Shots Fired in the Area of Fairfield Street and Newbury Street, Boston.

Officers were advised by BPD Operations that two possible male suspects were running down Newbury Street towards the Boston Common. Once on scene, officers were informed by witnesses that the two possible suspects were now running down a public alley in between Newbury Street and Commonwealth Avenue, towards the Boston Common. Officers were directed to Public Alley 434 where they observed two males matching both suspect descriptions running in the alley, towards Public Alley 437. Officers entered Public Alley 437, where they were able to detain one suspect, identified as Rashawn Bly, 24 years old, from Boston. Officers, still searching for the second suspect, were given access to the roof of one of the neighboring buildings. Once on the roof, officers observed a male, matching the description of the second individual, laying on the ground inside of a fenced in backyard of 24 Commonwealth Avenue. Officers relayed this information to the other responding officers, and the second individual, identified as Walter Coleman, 23 years old, from Boston, was also detained.

A canvass of the immediate area yielded a black firearm, which was located in a closed blue city recycle bin in the rear of 173 Newbury Street. It should be noted that the rear of 173 Newbury Street is also Public Alley 434. The firearm, a Baretta 9mm was found to be in the “lock back” position, with the slide fully extended backward.

Officers spoke with a witness who reported an exchange of gunfire between Rashawn Bly and Walter Coleman and two other unidentified individuals. Officers located ballistic damaged to multiple vehicles in the area of the original shots fired call.

After being positively identified, both Rashawn Bly and Walter Coleman were placed under arrest.

Rashawn Bly was charged with Unlawful Possession of a firearm, Firearm discharged within 500 ft. of Dwelling, Assault with dangerous weapon (2 Counts), Malicious Destruction of property, Unlawful possession of ammunition, Firearm carry without license loaded, and Armed Career criminal level 1, firearm violation with 1 prior violent/drug crime.

Walter Coleman was charged with Unlawful Possession of a firearm, Firearm discharged within 500 ft. of Dwelling, Assault with dangerous weapon (2 counts), Possession of class B drugs, Malicious Destruction of property, unlawful possession of ammunition, Firearm carry without license loaded, Armed Career criminal level 1, firearm violation with 1 prior violent/drug crime and Trespassing.

Both to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.