Suspect arrested for throwing snowballs at police officer

GLOUCESTER, Mass. -- A Gloucester man accused of throwing snowballs at police was facing serious charges Monday.

The snowball attack was caught on camera. The suspect’s target was an on-duty Gloucester police officer responding to a call.

“I guess it came very close to his head and shoulder area,” said Lt. Thomas Williams.

Gloucester police said homeland security cameras that they control caught several snow balls flying.

When arrested, the suspect was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

“Police officers, in the performance of their duties, shouldn’t be distracted by anything,” Lt. Williams said.

Police said the suspect was 27-year-old Keane Kirlan. They said they found him in a nearby alley. They said they didn’t know what prompted the attack, but at the time the bars were getting out.

"He could get in a lot of serious trouble," one man said. "It's really something you should think, but if you're coming out of a bar who the heck knows what you're thinking."

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