— Photo courtesy of Somerville Arts Council

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has confirmed, that after a request from her Office on January 11, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 38, §8, the inquest process into the death of Sayed Faisal has begun. Per order of the Court, no further details will be provided until the completion of the process.

Previous press release:

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow have confirmed that today (Jan. 4) at approximately 1:15 p.m., Cambridge Emergency Communications received a 911 call from a Cambridgesport resident, who had witnessed a man jump out of the window of a neighboring apartment and further reported that the man was in possession of a machete.  The caller said that he appeared to be cutting himself with both the weapon, later identified as a kukri knife and broken window glass.

Multiple paramedics and officers were initially dispatched to the scene and located the male, identified as Sayed Faisal, 20 of Cambridge, bleeding in an alley behind a Sidney Street building.

The preliminary investigation suggests that Faisal reportedly ran with the knife after observing police, traveling through several blocks in the Cambridgesport neighborhood before officers attempted to verbally engage with him on Chestnut Street, requesting that he put the knife down. The man reportedly moved towards the officers while still in possession of the weapon.

An officer discharged a less-than-lethal sponge round in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.  That round was unsuccessful in stopping Faisal. He continued to advance towards officers in possession of the weapon. One officer discharged this department-issued firearm and struck Faisal. He was immediately rendered medical aid on the scene by officers until EMS arrived.   Faisal was  transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where he later died.

Investigators are in the very early stages of this investigation, which is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and the Cambridge Police. The prosecutors assigned to this case are Carrie Spiros and Caroline Evans.

Any member of the public with any information or video of this incident should contact the Cambridge Police.

View the press conference here: https://youtu.be/au4kHdTQ_hM