Police: Man Charged with Assault and Battery After Fourth of July Fireworks

The following information was supplied by the Boston Police Department. Charges listed do not indicate convictions. 

A fight broke out of Fruit Street after the Fourth of July fireworks.

Mass. General Hospital Police were watching the crowds leaving the Fourth of July fireworks display at about 11:05 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, when they saw a fight break out between two men on Fruit Street.

The officers stopped the fight and called for backup as a large crowd gathered around the scene.

Officers spoke to the men involved in the fight as well as witnesses.

One of the men told police that the suspect grabbed a woman by the throat and slammed her into a wall. Three witnesses corroborated this story. Witnesses told police that man confronted the suspect and a fight broke out.

The suspect told police that he was assaulted for no reason and denied harming a woman. The suspect also went on to say that the officers stopped him “because he was black.” The suspect maintained that he was not the aggressor.

After hearing all of the accounts of this story, officers arrested Meshach Duffy of 444 Harrison Ave. After he was handcuffed, officers reported that Duffy became assaultive and attempted to trip the officer, then kick another. Officers also reported that Duffy bit one of the officers on the shoulder after they placed him in the cruiser.

The suspect said that he was injured in the fight and needed medical attention. Police reported that they took Duffy to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he allegedly continued to act in an aggressive manner and was placed in four-point leather restraints.

After receiving medical treatment, Duffy was transported to the Boston Police A-1 station and charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest.