News

Pawtucket man charged in fatal daytime shooting outside Prudential Center

BOSTON — A man has died after being shot near the Prudential Center on Tuesday morning, Boston Police said.

It happened near the intersection of W. Newton Street and Huntington Avenue in Back Bay just before 11 a.m.

According to Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, the man was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses say that man is a taxi driver who's a familiar face in the area and leaves behind a wife and five adult children.

Gross said police responded quickly to the scene thanks to witnesses calling 911 and a man was taken into custody on Ring Road.  That suspect has been identified as 34-year-old Phillip Foy of Pawtucket.

"We don't see this every day -- a daylight shooting," Mayor Marty Walsh said. "We're asking people to avoid the Copley Square area. This is going to affect the commute."

Police say a gun and a knife were found on the street near where Foy was taken into custody.

"We are really appreciative that the community got involved," Suffolk County District Attorney Rachel Rollins said. "We had good Samaritans that got involved and called the police department...we want to send our thoughts and prayers to the family of the victim."

Police said they are investigating the circumstances around the shooting.

"When we bring it to court, we need to make sure our version is as accurate as possible," Commissioner Gross said. "This is a destination city and this is a tourist area. It's unfortunate this happened here."

If anyone has information about the shooting, they are asked to contact the police.

Foy is expected to be arraigned Wednesday on charges of murder, armed carjacking, and unlawful possession of a firearm.