On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at approximately 6:07 PM, I was dispatched to Seven Hills Park for a reported dispute. Dispatch informed me that a Black male wearing a jean jacket had made threats about possessing a firearm. Officers Cassandra Campers (W5), Al Gee (W7), and Sgt. Jaun Ducasse (S8) responded as backup.

Upon arrival, I was approached by a frantic citizen who stated that there were two individuals behind the Somerville Theater, one with a knife, and the other with a brick. I immediately proceeded to that location.

As I approached, I observed Officer Gee standing near two individuals known to me as Ridchy Lesy and XXXX. I assisted Officer Gee in separating both parties. Officer Gee informed me that upon his arrival, he observed Mr. XXXX holding a brick and Mr. Lesy holding a knife. He ordered both parties to drop their weapons, and they complied.

I then spoke with Mr. Lesy and asked what had occurred. He stated that Mr. XXXX was inside the porta-potty and that he believed Mr. XXXX was "shooting up" and using drugs. Mr. Lesy said he needed to use the restroom, which led to an argument. I asked Mr. Lesy if he pulled the knife before Mr. XXXX picked up the brick, and he said that he did because Mr. XXXX was verbally threatening him. He later recanted his initial statement and claimed that Mr. XXXX had the brick first. Mr. Lesy repeatedly told me that he would kill Mr. XXXX, at one point stating, " Mark, you know me, I'll kill this motherfucker." I would note that there have been multiple calls for service involving Mr. Lesy, including incident #2500016, during which I witnessed Mr. Lesy ask a friend for a knife, stating he was going to kill someone.

I then spoke with Mr. XXXX, who stated that while he was using the porta-potty, Mr. Lesy began violently banging on the door and making threats to kill him, stating that he had a knife. Mr. XXXX said Mr. Lesy pulled the knife on him, and that was when he picked up a brick to defend himself. Mr. XXXX stated, "Mark, you know me, I don't cause problems, but I am going to defend myself."

I then spoke with the reporting party and several witnesses who were attending a juggling class taking place in the park just outside the porta-potty. The reporting party, XXXX, stated that she became aware of a commotion and observed a Black male in a jean jacket ( Ridchy Lesy) yelling at someone inside the porta-potty. She stated that Mr. Lesy then picked up a brick and threw it at the porta-potty while Mr. XXXX was still inside, shouting "I am going to kill you" and "I'll murder you." Ms. XXXX also reported hearing Mr. Lesy say he had a "mini Glock," referring to a firearm.

I then spoke separately with XXXX and XXXX. Both stated that they were focused on their juggling class but heard shouting near the porta-potty. Ms. XXXX specifically recalled hearing Mr. Lesy say, "Nigga, I'll kill you."

Based on the witness statements and Mr. XXXX account, I determined that Mr. Lesy was the primary aggressor. I informed Mr. Lesy that he was under arrest. He stated that he was not going to be arrested and that he had done nothing wrong. I placed Mr. Lesy in handcuffs without incident. He then began cursing at me and acting aggressively. I attempted to de-escalate Mr. Lesy by explaining the reason for his arrest and informing him that he would have the opportunity to share his version of events in court.

As officers attempted to escort Mr. Lesy out of the park, he began to resist by dropping his weight, widening his stance, and pulling away. He then began violently thrashing. It was determined that taking him to the ground was necessary to control his movements for everyone's safety. Once on the ground, Mr. Lesy continued to resist and kicked his legs, striking Officer Campers. Officer Campers attempted to pin Mr. Lesy's legs to control his movements.

Mr. Lesy began making verbal threats toward officers and specifically toward me, stating that he would kill us all and, "Mark, you're always out here trying to help people, but you're just a fucking pig." He began shouting that he could not breathe. I would note that minimal pressure was applied to Mr. Lesy's torso; most of the effort was focused on controlling his legs. I used the palm of my hand on his shoulder blade to control his upper body.

During the struggle, a crowd formed and began filming the incident. I explained to the crowd that I would be happy to speak with them and provide context once the situation had concluded.

Officer Justin Buswell then arrived with prisoner transport unit 200. Mr. Lesy refused to stand and said we were going to have to "earn our money." Officers lifted Mr. Lesy and placed him into the transport unit. He was transported to the Somerville Police Station, where he was booked in the usual manner by Sgt. Steve St. Hilaire.

Later, I reviewed surveillance video from the area. In the video, Mr. Lesy is seen entering the camera's view carrying a brick. Mr. XXXX enters shortly after, also carrying a brick. The two appear to argue and challenge each other to a fight. Mr. XXXX drops his brick, walks into the street, and gestures for Mr. Lesy to fight. He then abandons the effort and returns toward the park. Mr. Lesy then enters into the street, pulls a knife from his jacket pocket, and appears to challenge Mr. XXXX. Mr. XXXX runs back, picks up a brick, and approaches Mr. Lesy. Both men then move out of view of the camera.

At this time, Officer Gee arrived on scene. From a distance, he ordered Mr. XXXX to drop the brick, not yet aware that Mr. Lesy had a knife. Mr. XXXX complied. Mr. Lesy then began walking back in the direction of Mr. XXXX while holding the knife up. He continued toward Officer Gee, who was standing between Mr. Lesy and Mr. XXXX. Mr. Lesy came within feet of Officer Gee, still holding the knife out in front of him. Officer Gee ordered Mr. Lesy to drop the knife, and he complied.

The video footage, knife, and brick were secured and will be logged into evidence. Based on the above-stated facts, I determined that Mr. Ridchy Lesy was the primary aggressor. As a result, he was placed under arrest and charged with the following:

Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon (knife)

Resisting Arrest

Assault and Battery on a Police Officer (kicking Officer Campers)

Disorderly Conduct

Violation of a City Ordinance: Possession of a Dangerous Weapon (knife)\

Respectfully submitted,

Officer Mark McLaughlin