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In the wake of George Floyd’s death and the surge of Black Lives Matter demonstrations, Boston authorities have been advocating for a mental health-centric approach to handling psychiatric emergencies, aiming to diminish police involvement. However, this strategy faced criticism on Saturday when reports surfaced of an officer being stabbed by an individual in distress.
Central to Boston’s initiative is the Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST), a collaborative effort with the police that has been operational since 2011.
Following the civil unrest of 2020, city officials sought to expand and prioritize this model. By April 2021, Boston had introduced a pilot program designed to enhance the role of mental health professionals while reducing police presence during crisis situations.
This shift in policy was highlighted during the events of Saturday.
On that day, Boston Police and investigators were present at a brownstone on Hemenway Street, close to Northeastern University’s campus, following an incident where a person was shot and police officers sustained injuries on April 4, 2026.
Police Commissioner Michael Cox said officers were called around 10:45 a.m. after a man reported that four armed people outside his apartment near Northwestern University wanted to harm him.
Officers could not find anyone matching that description but spoke with the caller through the door and then requested EMS and a mental health clinician, through the BEST program, after concluding he was in immediate need of psychiatric help.
According to Cox, EMS and the clinician spent roughly 35 to 45 minutes talking with the man from outside the apartment and trying to persuade him to come out for treatment.
Boston Police and investigators are at a brownstone on Hemenway Street near the Northeastern University campus where a person was shot and Boston Police officers were injured on April 4, 2026. (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Instead, police said, he suddenly emerged carrying a sword, stabbed a Boston officer in the arm and knocked the clinician to the ground.
“One or more officers fired a Taser and their firearm at the individual, bringing the person to a halt,” the commissioner said. “EMS immediately provided medical attention. Unfortunately, the person succumbed to the injuries.”
The person has not been immediately identified.
Boston Police and investigators are at a brownstone on Hemenway Street near the Northeastern University campus where a person was shot and Boston Police officers were injured on April 4, 2026. (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The officer stabbed was given a tourniquet on scene before being taken to the hospital. Several officers and two EMS clinicians were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden.
“Today serves as a reminder of the dangers inherent in this work and the sacrifice our members make every day. Members of Boston EMS show up to save lives — not to be assaulted. No one should face violence for simply doing their job,” Boston EMS said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with our injured members, the Boston Police officers, and everyone affected by today’s incident.”
Boston Police are investigating.
Fox News Digital reached out to the police and mayor for comment.
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