Fireworks Turn to Weapons: 3 Charged After Assault on New Bedford Officers, One Caught with Loaded Gun

Trespass/Disorder — New Bedford, MA — reported 2026-07-08

SUMMARY

Three officers were hit by fireworks in New Bedford over the weekend.

KEY FACTS

• Incident type: Trespass/Disorder
• Location: New Bedford, MA
• Date reported: 2026-07-08
• Suspect: male, age 19
• Victim(s): 3 (police officers)
• Status: arrest/charge

REPORTED DETAILS

• The incident occurred at Montes Park on July 5, 2026, following Cape Verdean Independence Day festivities.
• A lit firework was thrown near the officers, causing them to move to avoid the debris.
• A second lit firework was thrown directly at the officers, striking three of them.
• One suspect, Jhan Carlos Baez, 19, was arrested at the scene and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
• Keishon Patterson, 26, was arrested on an active warrant stemming from Sunday's incident and charged with assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, and unlawful possession of fireworks.