A Boston police officer who was decorated for his actions during the Boston Marathon Bombing is recovering after being shot in the face in what has been called an “unprovoked attack.”
Officer John T. Moynihan, 34, was placed in a medically induced coma after being shot in the Roxbury neighborhood on Friday night. He suffered a bullet wound just under his right eye, authorities report. The officer was listed in critical condition, but after surgery Sunday to remove the bullet still lodged in his neck, police say he is “stable and improving condition and expected to leave Boston Medical Center’s intensive care unit in the coming days.”
The shooting occurred after officers pulled over 41-year-old Angelo West who, police charge, opened fire without warning. According to reports, the officers hadn’t even drawn their guns when Angelo opened fire.
Police returned fire, killing the man.
Two others in the car were arrested on unrelated charges.
Mayor Marty Walsh said that the city’s thoughts and prayers were with the officer and his family.
“‘These acts of violence have no place in our neighborhoods,” the mayor said. “Our community is stronger than ever, and tonight we are thankful for all of those who put their lives on the on the line every day to protect our city.”
Moynihan was credited with helping save the life of a transit officer who was wounded during the Watertown shootout between the Tsnaraev brothers after the bombing of the Boston Marathon in 2013.
The officer was awarded the National Association of Police Organizations’ “Top Cop” award in 2014 at the White House.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com