Nine men are in custody in connection with a standoff between law enforcement and a group of armed individuals on Interstate 95 in Massachusetts, according to state police officials.The standoff between police and the group of armed men has caused the closure of a part of I-95. The situation has also led to a shelter-in-place order for parts of nearby communities.The situation began when a Massachusetts State Police trooper spotted two vehicles in the breakdown lane with their hazard lights activated on I-95 north at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday and stopped to offer assistance, according to MSP Superintendent Col. Christopher Mason.Mason said the trooper observed the group of eight to 10 men trying to refuel a vehicle and saw they were wearing tactical-style gear. They were armed with a combination of rifles and pistols.The trooper asked the men for identification and firearms licenses and when the men said they did not have them available, the trooper called for backup, according to Mason.A group calling themselves "Moorish American Arms" posted a video on Instagram overnight showing armed members blocking the highway."At some point during this interaction, a number of those individuals alight into the woodline with their firearms. A perimeter was quickly established," Mason said."No threats were made, but these men should be considered armed and dangerous. We are asking residents in these areas to lock their doors and remain inside their homes. A heavy police presence will be in this area as well," the Wakefield Police Department wrote in a statement.The interstate was closed in both directions between Lynnfield and Stoneham because of the standoff."They are refusing to comply with orders to provide their information and put down their weapons," said Massachusetts State Police spokesperson David Procopio. Two people were seen being taken into custody on North Avenue during a live report on sister station WCVB at approximately 6:10 a.m. Reporter Josh Brogadir said the men, who were wearing fatigues, were walking near a staging area."While we were standing in that area, we saw some officers start to run. They came over here and they took these two guys into custody," Brogadir reported. Procopio later confirmed the arrests and said the situation was continuing with the remaining members of the group. At about 10:30 a.m., about nine hours after the incident began, Procopio confirmed that the remaining seven suspects had been taken into custody by the MSP Special Tactical Operations Team.Procopio said state police would conduct sweeps of both the group's vehicles and the nearby wooded areas.In Massachusetts, Interstate 95 runs from the Rhode Island line, around Boston to the New Hampshire line. Wakefield is just east of where Interstate 95 and 93 meet north of Boston.Authorities say people in some areas nearby were being advised to shelter in place during the incident. Police in other areas advised residents to use caution and avoid areas of town near Interstate 95.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Nine men are in custody in connection with a standoff between law enforcement and a group of armed individuals on Interstate 95 in Massachusetts, according to state police officials.
The standoff between police and the group of armed men has caused the closure of a part of I-95. The situation has also led to a shelter-in-place order for parts of nearby communities.
The situation began when a Massachusetts State Police trooper spotted two vehicles in the breakdown lane with their hazard lights activated on I-95 north at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday and stopped to offer assistance, according to MSP Superintendent Col. Christopher Mason.
Mason said the trooper observed the group of eight to 10 men trying to refuel a vehicle and saw they were wearing tactical-style gear. They were armed with a combination of rifles and pistols.
The trooper asked the men for identification and firearms licenses and when the men said they did not have them available, the trooper called for backup, according to Mason.
A group calling themselves "Moorish American Arms" posted a video on Instagram overnight showing armed members blocking the highway.
"At some point during this interaction, a number of those individuals alight into the woodline with their firearms. A perimeter was quickly established," Mason said.
"No threats were made, but these men should be considered armed and dangerous. We are asking residents in these areas to lock their doors and remain inside their homes. A heavy police presence will be in this area as well," the Wakefield Police Department wrote in a statement.
The interstate was closed in both directions between Lynnfield and Stoneham because of the standoff.
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"They are refusing to comply with orders to provide their information and put down their weapons," said Massachusetts State Police spokesperson David Procopio.
Two people were seen being taken into custody on North Avenue during a live report on sister station WCVB at approximately 6:10 a.m. Reporter Josh Brogadir said the men, who were wearing fatigues, were walking near a staging area.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
"While we were standing in that area, we saw some officers start to run. They came over here and they took these two guys into custody," Brogadir reported.
Procopio later confirmed the arrests and said the situation was continuing with the remaining members of the group.
At about 10:30 a.m., about nine hours after the incident began, Procopio confirmed that the remaining seven suspects had been taken into custody by the MSP Special Tactical Operations Team.
Procopio said state police would conduct sweeps of both the group's vehicles and the nearby wooded areas.
In Massachusetts, Interstate 95 runs from the Rhode Island line, around Boston to the New Hampshire line. Wakefield is just east of where Interstate 95 and 93 meet north of Boston.
Authorities say people in some areas nearby were being advised to shelter in place during the incident. Police in other areas advised residents to use caution and avoid areas of town near Interstate 95.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
