BPD Officers Peacefully Arrest Armed Suspect After Suspect Barricaded Himself For Several Hours

On Monday, January 6, 2025, at approximately 3:35 AM, officers assigned to District E-18 (Hyde Park) responded to a call reporting a person with a gun at 19 Hopewell Road. Upon arrival, officers observed the front door of the residence slightly ajar and heavily damaged. Officers immediately made entry into the home. Once inside, they discovered ballistic evidence near the front door.

As officers ascended the stairs, they heard yelling coming from the second floor. Officers could now see the muzzle of a firearm protruding around a left corner. One officer moved towards the armed suspect in an attempt to gain control of the weapon, but the suspect retreated further into the residence. Officers quickly found cover and issued verbal commands for the suspect to drop the firearm.

The suspect, later identified as 42-year-old Andres Rivera of Boston, was seen holding a shotgun, with another rifle across his chest. Officers determined that Rivera had been holding three individuals hostage inside a bedroom. As officers continued to issue verbal commands to de-escalate the situation, they observed the suspect pointing the firearm in their direction. The suspect fired a round from the shotgun damaging property, but not striking the officers.

Boston Police officers assigned to SWAT and Negotiator Teams arrived on the scene and established communication with Rivera. Through negotiation, the suspect agreed to release the three hostages. After hours of negotiation, Rivera surrendered and was subsequently taken into custody by officers without further incident.

Andres Rivera was charged with Armed Home Invasion, Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Dwelling, Eleven Counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun), Three Counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon on a Person Over 60, Malicious Destruction of Property over $1,200, Two Counts of Malicious Damage to a Motor Vehicle, Three Counts of Armed Kidnapping, and Resist Arrest.

Additionally, officers received a 911 call reporting two vehicles had been shot in the area of Monponset Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered ballistic damage to two vehicles, both belonging to one of the victims involved in the incident.

Detectives from District E-18 applied for, and were granted, a search warrant for 19 Hopewell Road. Detectives executed the search warrant and recovered the following:

• EAA Churchill 12 Gauge Shotgun
• IWI Tavor Rifle
• Two P-Mag Magazine loaded with ten rounds each
• One Clear Cross Magazine loaded with ten rounds
• One Clear Cross Magazine loaded with nine rounds
• A bag containing 159 .223 caliber rounds
• A loose .223 round
• One black bag with 105, 12 gauge shotgun shells
• One lettered bag containing seven, 12 gauge shotgun slugs, and 19, 12 gauge buckshot shells
• Four spent 12 gauge shotgun shells

Rivera will be arraigned in West Roxbury District Court on Tuesday.