Blue Meadows Shooting Suspect in Costody, Firearm Seized

New Bedford, MA — Detectives have taken a man into custody for a recent shooting and seized a handgun in the process.

Last week, on September 24th, a shooting incident occurred in the Blue Meadows Housing Development, during which two victims were struck by gunfire. As a result of the investigation that followed, an arrest warrant was secured for TYRELL PRATT, 20, of New Bedford.

On October 1st, at around 4:30 PM, detectives observed PRATT in the area of the Cottage St./Durfee St. intersection. Upon approach, PRATT reached into his waistband and attempted to flee the scene. Detectives observed him with a firearm in his hand as he ran towards Austin St.

PRATT tossed the firearm over a nearby fence and was taken into custody by Detectives Matthew Sylvia and Alan Kubik. The handgun he had discarded was found to be a Glock 30, along with a magazine and nine 45 caliber cartridges. The serial number was defaced. PRATT was transported to booking and found to also be in possession of a Percocet tablet.

PRATT now faces a number of serious charges for both the original shooting incident as well as those stemming from arrest, including assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, and carrying a loaded firearm with a defaced serial number among others. PRATT was on probation out of New Bedford District Court at the time of this arrest.

“I’m very pleased that we could take this dangerous suspect and another firearm off the street. Incidents like last week’s brazen shooting will not be tolerated, and we will continue to investigate until all who were involved are in custody,” said Chief Chief Paul Oliveira.

If you have any information you would like to give the police, you can do so anonymously by calling 508-99-CRIME or submitting a tip on our website.