Overview
- Police were called to Montes Park to clear a large crowd following Cape Verdean Independence Day festivities when officers say fireworks were thrown at their line.
- Officers recorded two separate fireworks being thrown at them, and the second device reportedly exploded close enough to spray hot embers at three officers.
- Nineteen-year-old Jahn Carlos Baez was identified on body-camera video, chased after a short foot pursuit, taken into custody and charged with multiple counts including assault and battery on a police officer.
- The three officers who were struck by debris suffered minor injuries and are reported to be okay, and the police department has said it expects additional arrests as the probe continues.
- Authorities emphasize that consumer fireworks can emit hot embers and act as dangerous projectiles, and investigators have removed posted bodycam video from public view while they review evidence.