News Summary
Joshua Cooper, a 36-year-old Stoughton resident with a history of motor vehicle homicide, has been charged following an altercation with police officers in Boston. The incident led to the discovery of a firearm in his vehicle and several charges including possession of a large-capacity firearm and assaulting a police officer. Cooper’s past conviction raises concerns about his current actions as he faces serious legal consequences.
Boston – Joshua Cooper, a 36-year-old resident of Stoughton with a previous conviction for motor vehicle homicide, faces multiple charges after allegedly assaulting police officers during an altercation in Boston. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Saturday following a ShotSpotter activation in Dorchester, prompting officers to respond to a large gathering on Gleason Street.
Upon their arrival, police officers recognized Cooper, who approached them with his left hand hidden in his pocket and asked if the officers wanted to see his badge. Notably, an empty firearm holster was observed on his right side. Following a brief struggle, officers managed to handcuff Cooper, leading to the discovery of a tan and green Smith & Wesson handgun, which was found in the driver’s side compartment of Cooper’s Jeep Grand Cherokee. The firearm was equipped with a 12-round magazine and had one round in the chamber. Cooper admitted that he did not possess a license to carry the weapon.
As the situation unfolded, a key fob fell from Cooper’s pocket, enabling officers to access his vehicle. After being transported to the Boston Police Department’s Roxbury office for processing, Cooper resisted allowing his hands to be placed in evidence preservation bags for the collection of gunshot residue. His resistance continued even in the presence of crime lab technicians, claiming injuries to his wrists from the handcuffs, despite visible marks not being present on his body. During the incident, Cooper frequently referenced his past role as a Youth Service Group Worker I at the Department of Youth Services (DYS), indicating familiarity with handling youth in custody.
Cooper’s charges include possession of a large-capacity firearm, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without a firearms identification card, assault and battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest. Following the incident, bail was set at $3,000, and he is required to stay away from the location where the offense occurred. A probable cause hearing has been scheduled for September 18.
This is not Cooper’s first encounter with the law; he previously served four years in state prison for a motor vehicle homicide in 2014, which resulted in the death of 42-year-old Morris Webb. His role at DYS was highlighted with records indicating that he earned over $59,000 in 2025. Furthermore, Cooper had undergone a criminal background check as part of his employment process with the Department of Youth Services.
The incident report from the Boston Police Department indicated that Cooper became violent during the arrest, leading to injuries to at least one officer. The seriousness of Cooper’s latest charges has been underscored by Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden, who noted the gravity of the situation in light of Cooper’s violent criminal history.
The culmination of these events presents a troubling picture of an individual with a history marked by violence now facing significant legal consequences once again. As Cooper prepares for his upcoming court date, the implications of his past and present actions weigh heavily on the judicial system and community safety.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Boston
- Boston 25 News
- Boston Herald
- WCVB
- MassLive
- Wikipedia: Crime in the United States
- Google Search: assault Dorchester
- Google Scholar: Dorchester crime
- Encyclopedia Britannica: violent crime
- Google News: Dorchester assault
