Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Boston man sprays Bear Repellant inside Red Line train car.

Gregory Gomes
On August 13, 2019 at approximately 6:43PM Transit Police officers assigned to the Central District received a radio call to respond to the MBTA's Andrew Sq. Station for a report of a male who may have dispersed an irritant from a can. Upon arrival officers were directed to the northbound platform where the subject, later identified as Gregory Gomes, 34, of Dorchester was laying down. Officers approached Gomes who blurted out " I accidently Blew it up". At this time Gomes revealed a Bear Repellant Spray in his open backpack.

Officers interviewed a witness who informed them while sitting inside the train car Gomes, for an unknown reason, removed a large can and dispensed it's contents for a "few seconds". This caused people in close proximity to suffer discomfort about the eyes.

Three individuals came forward to complain of respiratory distress/eye irritation. All three were treated and released on scene by Boston EMS.

Gomes was placed into custody, after a brief struggle, for Assault & Battery by means of a Dangerous Weapon and Resisting Arrest.


media inquiries should be directed to Superintendent Richard Sullivan at rsullivan@mbta.com