New Bedford officer shot during drug raid
Detective has been released from hospital and is expected to make full recovery, officials say
By Wesley Lowery and Gal Tziperman Lotan | Globe Staff
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| Nathan Manuel-Jackson (L) and Thomas Scott (R) were arrested after an officer was shot Friday night. (Photos: New Bedford Police Department) |
Jonathan Lagoa, whose injuries were not life-threatening, was in good spirits, said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, who visited him Saturday.
“It was a very close call, but we’re pleased that he’s going to make a speedy recovery,” Mitchell said in a phone interview Saturday evening.
Lagoa was taken by ambulance to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, then to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence before being released.
Two men were arrested at the scene following the shooting, and another three people who were in the apartment at the time — two men and a woman — were handed grand jury subpoenas and could face charges.
Police said a group of narcotics officers tried to break open the door of Apartment 2 at 244 Davis St., about 11:20 p.m. Friday to execute a search warrant.
As officers hit the door, which was barricaded with a security bar, Nathan Manuel-Jackson, 20, allegedly started shooting at them from inside the apartment, according to police.
Lagoa was hit and the officers took cover and called for backup.
Eventually, the occupants of the apartment agreed to remove the security bar and allow officers inside.
“Our police officers showed uncommon restraint in not returning fire,” Mitchell said. “They went in and arrested the individuals inside the house without firing another shot.”
Manuel-Jackson, who Mitchell said is from Boston and had moved into the house in December, faces charges of armed assault with intent to murder as well as several other firearms charges.
Police also arrested Thomas Scott, 34, of Mattapan, and charged him with being an accessory after a crime and several firearms charges.
The Bristol District Attorney’s Office said it was assisting police with the investigation and that Manuel-Jackson and Scott were expected to be arraigned Monday.
The three people in the apartment who were handed grand jury subpoenas are Duvall Davis, 36, of Mattapan; Albert Jackson, 40, of Alabama; and Mailisa Christian, 24, of Hyde Park.
Police said Saturday that it was unclear how the five people in the apartment knew one another.
Mitchell noted that none of the five was from New Bedford and said the property’s landlord is based in Duxbury.
“We have a situation here that is not very surprising: people who are not from the New Bedford area who own property in New Bedford and aren’t doing proper background checks on the people living in their property,” Mitchell said. “It’s put a great stress on our neighborhoods; it’s something that we’re trying to stop.”
According to residents of the large three-decker on Davis Street, the shooting occurred outside a rear apartment on the second floor.
There was no visible police presence at the building Saturday afternoon, and residents walking by asked reporters for information about the shooting. Some said they were shocked to hear that a police officer was shot.
“I’m used to there being a ton of commotion around here,” said one neighbor, who appeared to be in his mid-20s. “But someone shooting a cop?
That’s really surprising, I don’t know what to think.”
Several residents of the building said they heard gunshots Friday night, but they declined to talk about the suspects or say much about the shooting, citing fear of retaliation.
An elderly resident of the building said he was horrified when he heard the gunfire.
“I felt like I was living through hell,” said the man. “After what happened last night, I think I’m going to move out of here.”
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