Boston Mayor Michelle Wu raised some eyebrows this weekend when she sent condolences to the family of the knife-wielding man who had been shot by an off duty police officer after he was accused of trying to stab two people Saturday night.
Police did not release the suspect’s identity. He was seen brandishing a knife in front of a Chick-fil-A restaurant on Boylston Street. Police said that an off-duty officer shot him to death when he saw the suspect aiming at two of his victims.
At a press conference held on Saturday evening, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox stated that the police officer had identified himself and told the suspect to put down his weapon.
Cox stated, “The individual tried to stab two people in the shop, but the officer off duty identified himself as an officer of the police and instructed them to drop their weapon. The individual refused to comply. The officer fired his gun to end the threat and struck the individual. The armed person was transported to a hospital where he died.”
Cox said that he is “proud” of the police officers who are willing to go above and beyond their normal duties to help save lives.
After Cox and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden both expressed some sadness over the loss of life during the incident, Wu notably did not express sympathy for the two people who were nearly stabbed by the suspect, just those “impacted” by the incident, which happened in “one of the busier parts” of Beantown.
Wu expressed his condolences and said that all thoughts were with the families of those who lost their lives. “I’m thinking also of all those who have been affected by this tragic event in one of the more crowded parts of the city.”
She said, “I am glad the officer was safe. I’m also grateful to all our first responders for their quick response.”
Wu’s comments were criticized on social media by people across the nation shortly after her speech. Jonathan Choe, a journalist from Boston, wrote, “It is all upside-down in Boston.”
“When is the last time you heard of a mayor apologizing to the family of a knife-wielding attacker who allegedly tried to kill multiple people?” Choe questioned. “What about the people who were nearly killed?”
“Boston, I’m going to say this as simply as I can: You desperately need a new mayor. Trust me,” conservative commentator Charlie Kirk said in a different X post.
Joe Concha at Fox News, who is a former Bostonian, has also commented on the incident.
“How did Boston voters vote again?” Concha wrote, “The Back Bay area was considered one of the safest areas of the city. She’s sending her condolences ????”
The mayor of Boston has sent condolences to the knife-wielding killer. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) said. This man was stopped by an officer of the law who had courage.
This incident occurred as Boston officials, including Wu and Cox, were being criticized by conservatives over their sanctuary city policies. Catherine Vitale told Fox and Friends last week she believed Wu was “unconcerned” with crime in Boston.
“There are a lot of crimes almost every day. A shooting has occurred. They are not always reported, but because we live there, we do hear. Most crimes are not reported. People don’t get arrested. People who loot stores don’t face charges,” Vitale stated.
Wu is expected in Washington, D.C., this week as one of four Democratic mayors slated to testify before Congress on sanctuary policies.