Suspect Shot by Police Identified

The man who allegedly ran from police Thursday night and sustained a gunshot wound following a “violent struggle” with an officer has been identified as 18-year-old James Sanders of Roxbury.

Sanders, who was transported to with non life-threatening injuries, is being charged with assault and battery on a public employee, resisting arrest and possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute.

During an arraignment Friday afternoon at Boston Medical Center, Judge Annette Forde set bail for Sanders at $300 and ordered him to appear at the Boston Municipal Court for a pre-trial hearing on July 11, according to a release issued by the Suffolk District Attorney’s office.

Police shut down a portion of Washington Street Thursday night to investigate the incident, which began when an officer allegedly spotted Sanders participating in a drug transaction at 18 Trotter Court, part of a housing project near Shawmut Avenue. A foot chase ensued after Sanders took off through onto Washington Street, where he was struck by a vehicle, a police report stated.

The officer was able to catch up with Sanders near the intersection of Washington and Newcomb streets, where a “violent and physical struggle ensued,” according to the report. During the struggle, the officer’s firearm reportedly discharged, striking Sanders in the shoulder.

Washington Street remained closed to traffic between Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard late Thursday night as police continued to investigate. A plastic bag containing a green substance believed to be marijuana was recovered from the crime scene around 10:30 p.m., according to a subsequent report filed by police.