WAKEFIELD, Mass. —
A standoff between police and several armed individuals caused the closure of a part of Interstate 95 overnight. The situation also led to a shelter-in-place order for parts of the communities of Wakefield and Reading.
The situation began when a trooper spotted two vehicles in the breakdown lane and stopped to offer assistance around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Massachusetts State Police Col. Christopher Mason.
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Mason said the trooper observed the group of 8 to 10 men trying to refuel a vehicle and saw they were wearing tactical-style gear. They were armed with a combination of rifles and pistols.
The trooper asked the men for identification and called for backup.
A group calling themselves "Moorish American Arms" posted a video on Instagram overnight showing armed members blocking the highway.
"At some point during this interaction, a number of those individuals alight into the woodline with their firearms. A perimeter was quickly established," Mason said.
"No threats were made, but these men should be considered armed and dangerous. We are asking residents in these areas to lock their doors and remain inside their homes. A heavy police presence will be in this area as well," the Wakefield Police Department wrote in a statement.
WAKEFIELD, Mass. — A standoff between police and several armed individuals caused the closure of a part of Interstate 95 overnight. The situation also led to a shelter-in-place order for parts of the communities of Wakefield and Reading. The situation began when a trooper spotted two vehicles in the breakdown lane and stopped to offer assistance around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Massachusetts State Police Col. Christopher Mason. Advertisement Mason said the trooper observed the group of 8 to 10 men trying to refuel a vehicle and saw they were wearing tactical-style gear. They were armed with a combination of rifles and pistols. The trooper asked the men for identification and called for backup. A group calling themselves "Moorish American Arms" posted a video on Instagram overnight showing armed members blocking the highway. "At some point during this interaction, a number of those individuals alight into the woodline with their firearms. A perimeter was quickly established," Mason said. "No threats were made, but these men should be considered armed and dangerous. We are asking residents in these areas to lock their doors and remain inside their homes. A heavy police presence will be in this area as well," the Wakefield Police Department wrote in a statement.