Youth Violence Strike Force Arrests Two Suspects and Recovers Firearm During Basketball Tournament in Roxbury.

At about 9:36 PM, on Wednesday, July 3^rd, 2024, Officers assigned to the Youth Violence Strike Force arrested Anthony Diaz, 18, of Malden, for firearm related offenses and Braxten Baker, 18, of Brockton, for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest during an outdoor basketball tournament at Malcolm X Park in Roxbury.

Officers were on a directed patrol inside Malcolm X Park to provide additional public safety for the event when their attention was drawn to two individuals, later identified as Anthony Diaz and Braxten Baker, disinterested in the basketball game taking place and focusing on the Officers patrolling the park.

After viewing the two individuals over a period of time, Officers began to recognize one of the individuals displaying characteristics of a person carrying a firearm and began an investigation. When Diaz abruptly attempted to leave the basketball tournament before it was over, he started running when Officers approached him, but he was immediately stopped by Officers. After a brief struggle, a firearm was recovered from inside his shorts.

While Officers were attempting to arrest Diaz, Baker began trying to push himself into where Officers were and was physically interfering with them while they were attempting to handcuff Diaz. Baker was also arrested.

The firearm was a black Ruger semi-automatic handgun that had an obliterated serial number. It had a "six ray" laser attachment. Inserted in the firearm was a black magazine. Inside the magazine were six (6) live rounds of .22 caliber ammunition. Loaded inside the chamber of the firearm was one (1) round of live .22 caliber ammunition.

Diaz was arrested and is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court for the charges of Carrying a Firearm Without a License, Unlawful Possession of Ammunitions, Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License, and Possessing a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number.

Baker was arrested and is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court for the charges of Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest.