Jun 18, 2008 11:25 pm US/Eastern
Fan Hospitalized After Struggle With Police
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
A young man who was apparently out celebrating the Celtics victory early Wednesday morning was rushed to the hospital after a struggle with police. According to Boston Police, 22-year-old David Woodman of Southwick is in critical condition at Beth Israel Medical Center.
Woodman was in the Fenway area with a group of four other men, when police say officers tried to question him about an open container they believed contained alcohol. They say Woodman tried to run away, but was stopped by officers.
"The suspect began struggling with the officers as they attempted to handcuff him. At that time, officers realized that he was in medical distress; they immediately began to administer CPR," Boston Police said in a written statement.
Woodman was then rushed in an ambulance to Beth Israel where he is in critical, but stable condition.
A law enforcement source tells WBZ that Woodman had a pre-existing heart condition. He also had a warrant out for his arrest. The source told us Woodman was arrested by Northeastern University police in June 2007 for allegedly vandalizing several cars. He failed to appear in court on those charges, prompting an arrest warrant.
The Boston Police Homicide Unit and Internal Affairs Division are investigating Wednesday morning's incident. Police say they plan to file complaints against Woodman for public drinking and resisting arrest.
While most of the celebrations Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning were peaceful, police did arrest at least 23 people. The windows of several businesses near the TD BankNorth Garden were broken, and a bus stop was toppled. Most of the arrests were for disorderly conduct.
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