Thursday, 4:30 PM
Police officer, suspect shot in gunfight
By David Abel and Suzanne Smalley, GLOBE STAFF
In another burst of city violence, a Boston police officer and an alleged gang member were wounded in an exchange of gunfire Wednesday night near an elementary school in Dorchester, authorities said.
Police officials identified the officer as Steve Romano, 41, a member of the youth violence strike force, who has served in the department since 1996.
He was shot in the chest, but the bullet apparently hit him where he did not have protection from his vest, said a law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation.
"His injuries are serious but not life-threatening," said Commissioner Edward F. Davis in a press conference in front of Boston Medical Center, where an ambulance took the injured officer, with police closing off all cross streets to hasten his arrival for treatment.
The suspect was in "critical but stable" condition at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Davis said. He said police were looking for another suspect. It was not clear if he was captured Wednesday night.
The shooting occurred about 9:50 p.m. Wednesday on Westville Street, near the John Marshall Elementary School.
Police officials said officers -- Romano was accompanied by an officer and a state trooper -- made an "investigative stop" when they discovered gang members on a rival’s turf.
They tried to stop Antonio Franklin and Durrell Curry of the Geneva-Everton gang when the two fled, police said. They were apparently on the territory of the Crown Path gang.
The officers chased them to the Marshall School, when Franklin allegedly took out a gun and opened fire on Romano. The bullet hit him, but didn’t strike vital organs, said the law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation.
The trooper returned fire, hitting Franklin. Authorities did not release the name of the trooper.
Police did not comment Wednesday night on charges the suspects would face.
