Pro-Israel demonstrator in Newton shot man during scuffle, DA says

Local news

“Let the Newton police do their job and get the facts straight,” said Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller. “I’m asking everyone to stay calm.”

A Framingham man allegedly shot one person during a pro-Israel rally he attended in Newton on Thursday night, officials said.

Scott Hayes, 47, will be arraigned Friday on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, Middlesex County Prosecutor Marian Ryan said at a press conference. Ryan said they believe Hayes legally had the gun he used.

According to a Facebook eventHayes co-hosted the Newton Solidarity Standout on Washington Street from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Ryan said the shooting happened around 6:40 p.m

Ryan said a man was walking past a small pro-Israel demonstration near Washington and Harvard streets when “words were exchanged.” He crossed the street twice before finally jumping and tackling one of the protesters, she said.

“There was an argument,” Ryan said. “During the altercation, the person who had come across the street was shot by a member of the demonstration group.”

The man who was shot, who could not be identified, suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital. Officials did not say what caused the altercation, and Ryan said it was “too early to get into that” when asked if the shooting was political.

Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said police immediately arrested Hayes. The police will also increase their patrols at local places of worship in the coming days.

“Let the Newton police do their job and get the facts straight,” said Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller. “I’m asking everyone to stay calm.”

Newton police are asking anyone with video or photos of the incident to share with their detectives at 617-796-2104 or anonymously at 617-796-2121.