On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at approximately 10:38 AM, while conducting a walking patrol in Davis Square, I was dispatched to a reported fight nearby in Statue Park. Officers Edna DaCosta (W7) and Doug Brioso (R6) responded as backup.

Upon my arrival, I observed two unhoused males, Shuaib Mewborn and XXXX, whom I am familiar with and who frequently spend time in the Davis Square area. I observed both parties were shouting at each other. As I approached and attempted to announce my presence, I observed Mr. Mewborn throw a punch at Mr. XXXX. Mr. XXXX moved to evade the strike.

As I moved toward the individuals to intervene, Mr. Mewborn threw a second punch. At that point, I physically restrained him and placed him in handcuffs. During this time, Mr. XXXX threw a counter-punch. Both parties were separated with the assistance of Officer Brioso. Mr. Mewborn continued to shout obscenities, including racial and homophobic slurs, at Mr. XXXX, and officers.

I then spoke with XXXX, who stated he was sitting on the wall in Statue Park when he observed Mr. Mewborn shouting obscenities at passersby. I would note that there has been a recent pattern of this behavior from Mr. Mewborn, including a previous incident (Incident number 25037326) in which I responded to reports of him shouting obscenities at small children.

Mr. XXXX stated that he got into an argument with Mr. Mewborn regarding his aggressive behavior. Mr. Mewborn then stood up, struck Mr. XXXX, and threw him to the ground. Mr. XXXX intervened and attempted to break up the altercation. I would note that Mr. XXXX is 70 years old. During Mr. XXXX intervention, he also became involved in a heated exchange with Mr. Mewborn.

I next spoke with the reporting party, XXXX, a street outreach worker for the Somerville Homeless Coalition. Ms. XXXX informed me that she has previously observed Mr. Mewborn's aggressive behavior in the area and has attempted to engage him to offer support services. She stated that Mr. Mewborn has been hostile toward her and others. On this occasion, she observed Mr. XXXX arguing with Mr. Mewborn about his aggression, at which point Mr. Mewborn stood up from a bench and assaulted Mr. XXXX.

Mr. XXXX provided a similar account, stating that he was trying to break up the fight when Mr. Mewborn redirected his aggression toward him.

I later reviewed surveillance footage from the area. In the video, Mr. XXXX is seen sitting on the wall, with Mr. Mewborn nearby on a bench. At one point, Mr. Mewborn gets up, approaches Mr. XXXX, and shoves him. The two begin to fight, and Mr. XXXX intervenes to separate them. Things appear to calm momentarily, but Mr. Mewborn then shoves Mr. XXXX, escalating the confrontation again. Shortly afterward, officers are seen arriving on scene, and Mr. Mewborn throws two punches at Mr. XXXX. The video will be submitted into evidence.

While searching Mr. Mewborn's belongings after his arrest, I discovered a steak knife in his jacket pocket, which was confiscated. Mr. Mewborn allowed an associate to take possession of the remainder of his belongings for safekeeping.

Mr. Mewborn was placed under arrest for the following charges: Assault and Battery on a Person Over 60 or Disabled, Disorderly Conduct, Simple Assault and Battery in the Presence of an Officer. He was transported to the Somerville Police station in prisoner transport unit 200 by Officer Justin Buswell and booked in the usual manner by Sgt. Wolfe Berrouet. During the booking process it was discovered that Mr. Mewborn had an straight warrant for A&B.

Respectfully submitted,

Officer Mark McLaughlin