Boston, Oct. 30, 2012—A Dorchester man was arraigned on gun charges this week after a semi-automatic handgun dropped from his waistband in front of Boston Police trying to defuse an earlier conflict, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

PATRICK BISHOP (D.O.B. 8/16/93) was arraigned yesterday in Dorchester District Court on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Assistant District Attorney Gretchen Sherwood requested Bishop be held on $15,000 bail. Judge Rosalind H. Miller imposed $10,000 bail and ordered him to abide by a curfew of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. if he posts that amount.

According to prosecutors, members of the Boston Police Youth Violence Strike Force received information late Saturday night of a large group that included known gang associates arguing with a lone male near the corner of Blue Hill Avenue and Columbia Road. The male was seen leaving in a silver Audi, while the group walked up Blue Hill Avenue.

Concerned that the argument might lead to violence, Boston Police began patrolling the area to locate the group. They later found a group of about 20 people, including Bishop, in front of a Charlotte Street address. Bishop began walk away toward Blue Hill Avenue as the unmarked cruiser approached, then grabbed his waist, reversed course, and headed toward Bradshaw Street as police parked their cruiser alongside the group, prosecutors said.

When officers exited the cruiser and asked the group how its members were doing, Bishop allegedly stated that he’d had a problem with others at the scene but that it had been resolved. When an officer attempted to pat-frisk Bishop based on the placement of his hand at his waistband and efforts to leave the group on the officers’ arrival, Bishop allegedly took off running toward Bradshaw Street with his hand at his waistband again.

When met by an officer a short distance down Charlotte Street, a black .25 Sterling Arms semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number fell from Bishop’s waist and hit the ground, where the magazine dislodged from the firearm, prosecutors said.

“There’s a good chance that these officers’ actions prevented a shooting that night,” Conley said.

At booking, officers found three bags of a substance believed to be marijuana on Bishop and learned that he was wanted on a warrant out of New Bedford for disturbing the peace, prosecutors said.

Bishop was represented by attorney Dan O’Connell. He will return to court on Nov. 16.

–30– 

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