BOSTON, April 1, 2016—A Chelsea man was sentenced to prison today for pointing a loaded handgun at a police officer during a foot chase that followed shots fired, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury this morning found IGOR PEULIC (D.O.B. 1/30/83) of Chelsea guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building.  Judge Elizabeth Fahey sentenced Peulic to four to five years in state prison followed by 2 ½ years  in the house of correction, suspended for a period of five years.  During that time, Peulic must enroll in a GED program; work or attend school full-time; complete drug, alcohol, and mental health evaluations and treatment, remain drug- and alcohol-free subject to random testing, and not possess any firearm or dangerous weapon.  Assistant District Attorney Nicole Rimar had recommended a state prison term totaling 6 ½ to 10 years.

Rimar presented evidence and testimony at trial to prove that, on Feb. 1, 2015, Peulic stood in the middle of a crosswalk in the area of Bellingham Square and fired three shots in the direction of an occupied vehicle.  No one was struck by those shots.

Chelsea Police officers on patrol in the area heard the shots and observed the flash of the muzzle as Peulic fired the third shot.  As they approached, Peulic fled on foot, still carrying a .357 Magnum revolver.  Officers pursued him, updating dispatch on their location throughout the chase.

An additional uniformed officer who heard the initial shots responded to the area of Fifth and Chestnut streets to assist in the pursuit.  Upon confronting Peulic, the officer gave repeated commands to drop the gun.  Rather than comply, the evidence showed, Peulic faced the officer and raised his gun.  The officer discharged his weapon, striking Peulic once in the abdomen.

After Peulic fell to the ground, officers again ordered him to drop the firearm.  He did so, but then reached again for the firearm before complying with police orders to stop, evidence and testimony proved.  The officers immediately called for medical assistance and performed first aid until Peulic was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital.

The firearm was later found to contain three live rounds of ammunition and three spent shell casings.

Jassie Senwah was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate.  Peulic was represented by Jeffrey Garland.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.