BOSTON, Aug. 16, 2013—A Dorchester man was held on high bail today on charges that he opened fire at Boston Police as they investigated a suspected drug transaction early this morning, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ANTHONY TOOMBS (D.O.B. 4/12/92) was charged in Dorchester District Court with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm, unlawfully discharging a firearm within 500’ of a dwelling, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a public employee, resisting arrest, and trespassing.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Callahan recommended $750,000 cash bail and an order that Toombs wear a GPS monitoring device if he posts that amount. Judge Jonathan Tynes imposed the requested bail and order.

Members of the Boston Police Youth Violence Strike Force were engaged in a gang investigation when they observed an apparent drug transaction near the intersection of Blue Hill Avenue and Pasadena Road at about 12:50 a.m. As the officers watched, a man later identified as Toombs approached the seller in that transaction. As officers surveilled them, the two entered Stash’s Pizza and, a short time later, began walking up Blue Hill Avenue.

Officers approached them in an unmarked cruiser. Two officers, both wearing badges outside their clothing and one of them wearing a vest marked “Boston Police,” exited the vehicle and asked if they could speak to the men. The man believed to be the seller in the earlier transaction stopped; Toombs began to run.

While one officer remained with the seller – later identified as WILLIAM HOWELL (D.O.B. 5/12/92) of Mattapan – other officers pursued Toombs onto Seaver Street, noting that Toombs’ sweatshirt appeared to be weighted down with a heavy object in the front pocket.

Officers pursued Toombs into Puddingstone Park, where Toombs allegedly pulled a handgun from his sweatshirt pocket. Officers ordered him to drop the gun; Toombs allegedly refused and continued to run. When he got to a fenced-in area of the park abutting Pasadena Road, Toombs allegedly pointed the gun at two pursuing officers and fired. No one was struck.

One of the officers fired his own service weapon. Again, no one was struck.

Toombs allegedly tossed the gun over the fence and went to the ground. He complied with orders to show officers his hands, but allegedly struggled with another officer who attempted to place him in custody. Toombs is charged with assaulting that officer with his fist.

Additional officers recovered the gun Toombs allegedly used, a Hi-Point Model C-9 9mm semiautomatic loaded with 8 rounds of ammunition.

In the course of a pat-frisk, Howell was found to have a plastic bag containing two smaller bags of marijuana. He was charged with possession of a Class D substance with intent to distribute.

Toombs was represented by attorney Jack Garland. He will return to court on Sept. 16.

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