Police Brief: Boston and Arlington Youth Clash

Police Captain Robert Bongiorno says the police department will "look at more effective strategies" to combat youth violence after an altercation this weekend between teens from Boston and Arlington.

Officers from several units arrived at Grove Street and Massachusetts Avenue around 6:30 p.m. Sunday after multiple calls The two groups--one from Arlington, the other from Boston—had engaged a verbal confrontation across Mass Ave. when a 16-year-old from Boston brandished a handgun. The teen allegedly racked the weapon and pointed it at three remaining Arlington youth, saying, "we're from Boston, we'll kill you all." The 16-year-old from Boston discarded the gun when the police arrived at the scene. The officers detained three teens from Arlington and arrested the 16-year-old on three counts of assault with a deadly weapon. 

The police department subsequently found a black pellet gun matching the description of the weapon, which appeared to be a 9mm handgun. The department is currently testing the weapon for evidence. 

Upon interviewing all the teens involved, officers discovered the suspects belonged to the same two groups involved in a stabbing last summer. While the case is under investigation, Captain Bongiorno says the force will look into new strategies to reduce "gang-like" activity.