Officers involved in South End shooting take leave

BOSTON (WHDH) -- Officers involved in the South End shooting on Tuesday that left suspect Burrell Ramsey dead are now on paid administrative leave as investigators sort through fact and fiction.

According to police, Ramsey had a criminal record dating back to when he was a juvenile, including assault and battery and gun charges. Boston police also said Ramsey was at the scene of a recent murder in Roslindale.

Police said they stopped him Tuesday because he was in a car whose owner was arrested recently on heroin charges.

Ramsey was shot according to police after he tried to run and then allegedly threatened the officers.

“The suspect brandished a firearm and as a result of that, the officer fired one shot and the suspect was pronounced dead at Boston Medical Center,” said Commissioner Ed Davis, Boston Police Department.

The 26-year-old grew up in Tent City on Dartmouth Street. Flowers were left near the make-shift memorial that sprouted up in the doorway where he collapsed and friends can’t believe what happened.

“I don’t even believe 100 percent that he was armed, knowing him. So never mind to be aiming at him. That’s not the type of person that I knew,” said Eddie Arnold.

Police said they have the gun Ramsey allegedly pointed at the officers just before he died, as well as surveillance video from surrounding buildings. At this point they believe Ramsey was alone in the car and when he took off shortly before the shooting. The people in the neighborhood are still shell-shocked by the violence and said it hurts them as well as the community.

“It hurts us all. My mother came out screaming. I’m feeling empty. I’m feeling like it happens all too often,” said another friend who wishes to remain anonymous.

The police officer involved in the shooting is 30 years old. He has been on the force for five years. His father is also a police officer here.