Boston police officer saved by bulletproof vest, accused shooter held without bail
BOSTON - Avery Lewis, the man accused of shooting a Boston Police officer Monday night, was ordered held without bail Tuesday on a long list of charges.
Boston Police officer shot in chest
The officer was shot once in the chest around 9:30 p.m. while responding to a domestic call at a house on Esmond Street, just off Blue Hill Avenue near the Franklin Park Zoo.
According to the prosecutor, Lewis was armed with a gun when the officer tried to take him into custody. The gun went off, but the bullet was stopped by the officer's bulletproof vest. Lewis, 31, of Dorchester, was arrested and the gun was recovered, according to police. The prosecutor said the gun had 14 live rounds in it.
The officer, who has been on the job about two years, was taken to Boston Medical Center to be treated for what police described as "non life-threatening injuries." He was released from the hospital on Tuesday.
Police have not released his name at this point in the investigation.
Avery Lewis arraignment
Lewis was arraigned in Dorchester District Court Tuesday morning on ten charges - armed assault to murder, assault and battery on a police officer, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device, assault and battery with a firearm, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, trafficking of cocaine and resisting arrest.
In front of a courtroom filled with Boston Police officers, Lewis was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. He's due back in court on March 29.
Outside court, Lewis's mother said she has no idea how or why this happened.
"I love him so much and he has a good heart," she told reporters. When asked if she had anything to say to the officer who was shot, Lewis's mother replied, "I'm so sorry."
Avery Lewis criminal history
According to court documents, Lewis has an extensive criminal record. He was charged with armed robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in 2009. He was charged with a drug violation near a school or park and drug distribution in 2017.
