Boston police capture two suspects 20 minutes after shooting

Francis and the alleged driver, 29-year-old Carl W. Edwards, were stopped by officers on Dorchester Avenue after they heard a radio broadcast of the car allegedly used in a shooting on West Cottage Street.

As Francis was stepping out of the front passenger seat, a .357-caliber revolver fell to the ground near his feet, according to police. The weapon was fully loaded, police said. Police also found a plastic bag with four bullets in it when Francis was searched after his arrest.

Edwards,a Roxbury resident, surrendered to officers without a struggle, police said. Police allegedly found a plastic bag with heroin on Edwards.

Both men were allegedly inside the car as it drove down West Cottage around 4 p.m. where Francis allegedly fired at least five shots at a man walking down the street, police said.

The victim, whom police declined to identify, was shot in the buttocks and taken to Boston Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening wounds.

Police rushed to the scene after the ShotSpotter system alerted them to the shooting. Witnesses provided a description of the car, which led to the arrest of the men a short time later, police said.

The two men were arraigned today in Roxbury Municipal Court where they pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including aggravated assault and battery, armed assault with intent to murder, unlawful carrying of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition. Francis is charged with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building.

According to a spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, bail was set at $125,000 cash for Francis and $100,000 cash for Edwards. They are due back in court Sept. 13.