Protest in Newton Turns Violent as Man is Shot After Tackling Demonstrator
A pro-Israel protest in Newton took a violent turn on Thursday evening when a man was shot after tackling one of the demonstrators. The incident occurred at the intersection of Washington Street and Harvard Street around 6:40 p.m. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan provided details of the altercation during a press conference at Newton Police Headquarters.
According to Ryan, a group of pro-Israeli demonstrators had gathered on one side of Washington Street. Just before the shooting, an individual was walking down the opposite side of the street. Words were exchanged between the two groups across the street, escalating the tension. Suddenly, the person from the other side ran across the street and tackled one of the demonstrators, identified as Scott Hayes, a 47-year-old man.
A scuffle ensued between Hayes and the man who tackled him. During the altercation, Hayes pulled out a gun and shot the individual who had attacked him. The wounded man, who remains unidentified, sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a local hospital for medical attention.
Hayes was subsequently arrested by the police and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, as well as violation of a constitutional right causing injury. It is worth noting that Hayes legally owned the gun he used during the incident.
As the investigation is ongoing, there is still uncertainty surrounding the motive behind the shooting. Friends of the pro-Israeli protesters who were present at the scene expressed their confusion and stated that it might be related to the demonstration, while others considered it a mere coincidence.
In response to the incident, Newton Acting Police Chief George McMains announced that extra patrols would be deployed to local houses of worship in the following days to ensure the safety of the community. McMains also appealed to individuals who may have captured the incident on video to share their footage with investigators, as it could provide valuable evidence.
Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller addressed the public, emphasizing the importance of remaining calm while the investigation unfolds. She urged community members to allow the Newton police to conduct their work and gather accurate information about the incident.
As this is a developing story, 7NEWS encourages viewers and online readers to stay tuned for the latest updates.
