A decorated Boston police officer is fighting for his life in a coma after being shot in the face “point-blank” Friday by a “violent” career criminal.
Officer John Moynihan, 34, was shot below the right eye by suspect Angelo West, 41, who emptied his revolver at cops during a traffic stop, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said during a press conference Saturday.
West, of Hyde Park, unleashed a hail of bullets as cops approached his car in the city’s Roxbury neighborhood, officials said.
The “nearly assassination-style” shooting on the six-year Boston police veteran was unprovoked, Evans and Rev. Mark Scott said.
“The officer probably didn’t even have a chance to even say anything,” Evans said. “No one had any indication of what might happen.”
Moynihan, a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq, was transported to Boston Medical Center, where he is in a medically induced coma with a bullet still lodged behind his right ear.
The critically injured cop is undergoing tests and being monitored for bleeding in his brain.
His shooter, who authorities say has a criminal history with several prior gun convictions, had continued firing at the other five gang task force officers as he tried to run away, Evans said.
West had emptied his .357 Magnum handgun before he was shot dead on the scene. He had also fired at officers in dowtown Boston in 2001.
Witness videos, which have not yet been released, show the highly decorated cop barely exchanging words with the driver before he was blasted in the face about 6:40 p.m., Evans said.
None of the officers involved had their guns drawn before the attack.
“We’re just all very lucky that he’s still with us today,” Evans said. “We’re hoping and praying there’s no further damage.”
Moynihan was honored by the White House with a National Association of Police Organizations “Top Cop Award” last May for his role in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing.
He helped gravely wounded MBTA Transit Police Officer Richard Donohue Jr. during a shootout with Boston Marathon Bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev on April 19, 2013.
“He’s a strong kid,” Evans said. “He’s a fighter. He’s going to pull through.”
Two other people who were in the car with the suspect are being questioned by police.
A female driver caught in the crossfire was treated for a flesh wound on her arm and is recovering, Evans said.
“These acts of violence have no place in our neighborhoods,” Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said in a statement.
“We are thankful for all of those who put their lives on the on the line every day to protect our city.”
