Brockton man held without bail after shooting at Boston police officer
BOSTON, June 12, 2023 – A Brockton man was arraigned today in Roxbury BMC for robbing two separate pizza delivery drivers at gunpoint then shooting at a Boston police officer, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
JOHN LAZARE, 23, was charged with armed robbery, assault and battery with a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm), carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, possession of a large capacity firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and receiving stolen property.
Judge Kenneth Fiandaca ordered Lazare held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on June 23. Lazare has two outstanding warrants out of Salem and Quincy.
On June 7, Boston police detectives spoke with a pizza delivery driver who said he was robbed at gunpoint outside of 44 Cedric Street. He said a man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a face mask, and dark colored pajama pants with a red design on them, later identified as Lazare approached him as he arrived with two pizzas. Lazare handed the victim a $100 bill in exchange for the pizzas. As the victim was reaching into his pocket to make change, Lazare took out a gray firearm and pointed it at him. Lazare then took his money back as well as $120 that the victim had in his pockets from previous deliveries. Detectives conducted a sweep of the area but did not find anyone matching the description.
On June 9, after further review of surveillance video, investigators shared screenshots of Lazare with other officers citywide. Later that night, at about 9:17 p.m., a Boston police officer was in the area of 44 Cedric Street to attempt to locate any individual who may match the description in the photos. Upon arrival, the officer observed a robbery in progress with a man pointing a firearm at another man, also a pizza delivery driver. As the officer approached, Lazare fired shots at the officer and began running into the main entrance of 44 Cedric Street. The officer sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the foot and back and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Responding officers observed Lazare on a rooftop before he jumped off, landing in an alleyway, injuring his leg. A 9mm shell casing was found inside the main entrance next to a silver and black firearm. The firearm, a Smith and Wesson 9mm had one round in the chamber and 10 rounds in the magazine. Officers also observed one live round on the second floor staircase and an additional 9mm shell casing was found inside Lazare’s jacket pocket.
“Any shooting of a police officer is of immense concern to all of us in law enforcement and society. The fact that this officer once worked as an investigator in our office makes it hit particularly close to home. I am relieved his injuries are not life threatening and I commend his bravery along with the other officers who were injured in this horrific incident,” Hayden said.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications