South Boston, August 30, 2025
News Summary
Nasiru Ibrahim, a 25-year-old city employee in Boston, is set to be terminated and faces five felony gun charges following a violent encounter during a traffic stop. Arrest reports reveal he used a Taser against a state trooper and was found with a loaded handgun, leading to bail being set at $750,000. This incident has raised serious questions regarding city hiring practices and the monitoring of employees with criminal records, prompting a city council review.
Boston
Boston city employee Nasiru Ibrahim, 25, is being terminated and faces five felony gun charges after a violent July 30 traffic stop in South Boston that left a state trooper injured. Body camera and dashcam footage of the encounter show Ibrahim using a Taser against a trooper during an attempt to flee, and a later search of his vehicle turned up a loaded handgun fitted with an illegal machine gun conversion device. A judge set bail at $750,000 following a dangerousness hearing; prosecutors had sought detention without bail.
Key facts
- Accused: Nasiru Ibrahim, 25, employee in the City of Boston property management department.
- Charges: Five felony gun charges, including possession of a machine gun conversion device.
- Arrest date: July 30.
- Evidence: Body camera and dashcam footage; a loaded Glock with a “Glock switch” recovered from the vehicle.
- Court status: Pleaded not guilty; probable cause hearing scheduled for September 5.
- Bail: Set at $750,000 after a dangerousness hearing.
- Employment status: Placed on unpaid administrative leave immediately after the city learned of the allegations; now in the process of termination.
Details of the arrest
The traffic stop began when a state trooper stopped Ibrahim for excessively dark window tint in a high-crime area of South Boston. According to arrest reports, Ibrahim displayed an extremely nervous demeanor and acknowledged prior firearms offenses. When the trooper asked to search a backpack visible in Ibrahim’s vehicle, Ibrahim attempted to flee by putting the car into drive and aggressively pulling the bag away.
The trooper entered the vehicle to put it into park and a struggle followed. The trooper deployed a Taser, which Ibrahim allegedly wrested away and used against the trooper. The trooper responded physically and Ibrahim surrendered after being struck twice. An off-duty Boston police officer assisted in taking Ibrahim into custody. A search of the vehicle recovered a loaded Glock wrapped in a city property management sweatshirt and a device converting the weapon into a machine gun.
Charges, prior record and court proceedings
Ibrahim faces multiple felony gun charges, including possession of a machine gun conversion device. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a probable cause hearing on September 5. Prosecutors argued he posed a danger and sought detention without bail; the judge instead set bail at $750,000.
Court filings and arrest records show Ibrahim has a seven-page criminal record that includes a prior conviction for assault to murder, which previously resulted in a five-year state prison sentence.
City response and calls for review
Mayor Michelle Wu confirmed the city employee is being terminated and said the city will review hiring practices related to employees with prior criminal records. Ibrahim was placed on unpaid administrative leave as soon as the city became aware of the allegations; payroll records show he earned $13,651 from the city last year.
Two Boston City Councilors have requested an emergency hearing to examine and reform pre-employment screening and ongoing monitoring for city workers. Councilors cited this incident and a recent arrest of an off-duty housing supervisor connected to a deadly shooting as part of a pattern raising concerns about whether current checks and reentry policies adequately protect public safety.
Context and policy considerations
The case has intensified debate over the balance between reentry services designed to give individuals with prior convictions another chance at employment and the need for rigorous screening for positions that involve city property or public safety implications. City leaders indicated there are discrepancies in prior statements about Ibrahim’s criminal history and stressed that illegal firearm possession disqualifies an employee from city service.
The incident has prompted calls for clearer standards on pre-employment background checks, regular monitoring of employees with criminal histories, and stricter hiring protocols where public safety is a concern. Officials have signaled a review of procedures but have not announced formal policy changes as of the latest court scheduling.
FAQ
What charges does the employee face?
The employee faces five felony gun charges, including possession of a machine gun conversion device and related weapons offenses.
What evidence was recovered at the scene?
Body camera and dashcam footage recorded the struggle. A loaded Glock handgun and an illegal machine gun conversion device were found in the vehicle, reportedly wrapped in a city property management sweatshirt.
What is the employee’s current employment status?
The employee was placed on unpaid administrative leave immediately after the city learned of the allegations and is now in the process of being terminated.
Has the employee pleaded guilty?
No. The employee pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a probable cause hearing on September 5.
How much is bail and what did prosecutors request?
Bail was set at $750,000 after a dangerousness hearing. Prosecutors had requested detention without bail.
Are city hiring practices under review?
Yes. City officials confirmed a review of hiring practices for employees with prior criminal records, and city councilors have called for an emergency hearing on screening and monitoring protocols.
Quick reference table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | South Boston traffic stop; city employee works for Boston property management department |
| Accused | Nasiru Ibrahim, 25 |
| Alleged offenses | Five felony gun charges, including possession of a machine gun conversion device |
| Evidence | Body camera and dashcam footage; loaded Glock and illegal “Glock switch” recovered |
| Court date | Probable cause hearing scheduled for September 5; plea entered as not guilty |
| Bail | $750,000 |
| Employment status | Placed on unpaid administrative leave; termination in process |
| City action | Mayor confirmed termination process and ordered review of hiring practices; city councilors requested emergency hearing |
| Related concerns | Questions about pre-employment screening, monitoring of employees with criminal histories, and reentry policy effectiveness |
| Annual pay (reported) | $13,651 earned from city last year |
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Additional Resources
- WCVB: Boston Employee Ibrahim Fired After Confrontation with Trooper
- Boston Herald: Violent Boston Employee Arrest Raises Concerns
- NBC Boston: Boston Employees Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges
- Boston 25 News: U.S. Marshals Arrest Multiple Fugitives in Massachusetts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pre-employment Screening
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
