Good Samaritans Restrain Suspect Who Allegedly Attacked Police Officer
BOSTON (CBS) – A man is accused of a brutal attack on a Boston Police officer Tuesday night.
The incident happened in front of families dropping their kids off for skating in Brighton, and that's when bystanders had to jump in and help the officer.
That officer was responding to a report of a suspicious person around 6:30 p.m.
Witnesses say 45-year-old Patrick Lowry of Belmont was drinking from an open container and had urinated in front of several families at The Skating Club of Boston on Soldiers Field Road.
The officer went up to Lowry and offered him a ride to a nearby shelter. When the officer asked him to empty a nearly full can of beer, witnesses say Lowry threw it at the officer, hitting him in the head above his left eye. He then allegedly lunged at the officer and grabbed him.
Both men fell to the ground and the officer hit his head on the pavement. Police say Lowry then punched and kicked the officer several times and tried to get his gun.
The officer lost his radio in the scuffle, so witnesses called 911. Two other witnesses also helped the officer by restraining Lowry until more officers arrived.
Frank Borghette was first to come to the officer's aid. "I went over, I grabbed his arm, flipped it back, and I put my knee on his chest," Borghette said.
Then, Shabin Shakhawath came over to hold the man's legs. "And he was saying violent language, racial comments to officers," Shakhawath said.
In a statement, Boston Police said, "We are grateful they were not harmed during the incident and thank them for their selfless actions."
Paramedics took the officer to the hospital with head, neck and back injuries. He is now recovering.
Lowry will be in court in Brighton on several charges.
WBZ-TV's Louisa Moller contributed to this report.