Teen saves cousin, 4, from gunfire

By John R. Ellement and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

A 4-year-old and his teenage cousin narrowly survived an ambush by a gunman outside their Roxbury home earlier this week, with a bullet whizzing past the head of the older boy, a prosecutor said today in court.

After another bullet struck him in the forearm, Eric Parson, 17, ran back into the gunfire to save his young cousin, Ferris Glover, 4, who had slipped out of his arms.

Glover lay on the ground and "screamed out for his cousin to come for him," as the torrent of bullets continued to fly, said Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Daniel Mulhern. Parson scooped up the 4-year-old, who had been shot in the side.

The bullet-by-bullet account from the prosecutor came at the arraignment today of the alleged gunman, Larelle Pratt, who was described by Boston police as a "high impact" gang member. The 19-year-old pleaded not guilty to two counts of armed assault with intent to murder and other charges. Pratt was held on $150,000 cash bail and is due back in court Sept. 22.

Prosecutors allege that Parson and Glover were sitting on their porch on Bragdon Street when Pratt and another young man walked down the alley. Pratt and Parson exchanged words, the prosecutor said, and moments later Pratt doubled back and opened fire. Authorities did not say what was said between Parson and Pratt.

Pratt's mother defended her son this morning after the hearing, saying he was raised a churchgoer who attended the United House of Prayer.

"He knows to stay away from gangs, to be his own man, to be his own person," said Katrina Gaston.

At 7:40 p.m. Monday when the shooting occurred, "He was at my house, asleep," Gaston said.

Pratt was first arrested Thursday after a traffic stop and charged with driving without a license. Soon after, police obtained a warrant for his arrest in the shooting.

Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said yesterday that the arrest was the work of an intense effort by local detectives to capture the perpetrator of what he called an "outrageous act."

"This is a case that we see all too often across the nation, unfortunately -- a wanton disregard for the safety of these young children by gang members who just open fire in the neighborhood," Davis said. "We just want to make sure that when this happens people are brought to justice, and brought to justice quickly."

Parson was treated and later released for the bullet wound in his arm. Glover underwent surgery and was last reported in stable condition.

In a statement, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley called Pratt’s alleged actions “appalling. The very idea of firing on a child is reprehensible to every decent member of our community,” Conley said

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