On Saturday morning, Massachusetts state police engaged in a standoff against armed men (Massachusetts State Police).After hours of standoff on a major highway, a group heavily armed Massachusetts police officers arrested the men.At 1:30 AM local time, a state trooper encountered a group consisting of 8-10 armed men as they were refilling their tanks on the side I-95 in Wakefield. Wakefield is a northern suburb near Boston.Officials were told that the men were traveling from Rhode Island to Maine for training.These men were equipped with long guns and tactical gear, including helmets and body cameras.Two suspects were taken into custody, but eight men, who claimed they belonged to a group called Moorish American Arms fled to a forest area just off the highway.Members of @NEMLEC, North Ave, Wakefield, have taken two suspects into custody MSP took custody and transferred them to one our barracks. The situation continues with the remaining members of the group. We are working to end the situation peacefully. https://t.co/1bZWM1vYKS Mass State Police, @MassStatePolice July 3, 2021Around 8 men fled the woods with rifles and handguns. They appear to have been contained in the wooded area near the highway. The Wakefield Police Department stated in a statement that although no threats were made, these men should still be considered dangerous and armed.Police were finally able to capture the remaining suspects after hours of trying to negotiate with them.MSP Special Tactical Operations Team has taken the remaining suspects from highway into custody. According to a statement from Massachusetts state police, 7 more suspects were taken into custody for booking. We will conduct sweeps in their 2 vehicles and the woods. There are now 9 people in custody, including the initial 2 arrests.Continue the storyFollowing the incident, 1-95 was closed as authorities attempted to sweep the area.MSP Special Tactical Operations Team has taken the remaining suspects from highway into custody. 7 more suspects are being taken into custody for booking. We will conduct sweeps in their 2 vehicles as well as the woods. There are now 9 people in custody, including the initial 2 arrests. https://t.co/eP2KzZFpo Mass State Police - @MassStatePolice July 3, 2021All this happened after residents of Reading and Wakefield were asked to take refuge in the same place and avoid the area during the standoff.After the arrests of the remaining suspects on Saturday morning, police lifted the shelter in place order.Initialy, the men who remained refused to surrender their guns or follow police orders.We engage the suspects in conversation to try to de-escalate 95 and bring it about peacefully to an end, Massachusetts state police stated at one point in the incident.Officials stated that police officers would continue to be present in the area while they sweep it.There were no reports that shots were fired or that anyone was hurt during the standoff.This is an ongoing story
