Man Arraigned in Connection with Brandishing a Firearm at Basketball Tournament in Westford
WESTFORD – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Westford Chief of Police Mark Chambers have confirmed that Jose Mow, 34 of Boston was arraigned today in Ayer District Court on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition, improper storage of a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, disturbing a public assembly and operating a vehicle after revocation of a license in connection with allegedly brandishing a firearm to another parent during an altercation at a youth basketball game in Westford yesterday.
Yesterday, May 1, 2022 at approximately 3:00 p.m. Westford Police responded to the Millworks facility located on Town Farm Road in Westford for a report of a disturbance at the facility and a report of a man with a firearm. Upon arrival witnesses at the scene reported to police that a man who had brandished the firearm had fled the scene, and offered a description of the vehicle. Officers were subsequently able to locate the suspect vehicle which was being driven by defendant. Police also located the firearm in a diaper bag inside the vehicle and placed the defendant under arrest.
The subsequent investigation suggests that the defendant was attending a basketball tournament at the facility where his son was playing when he allegedly got into an altercation with a parent from the opposing team. At some point during the altercation the defendant allegedly brandished a handgun to the other parent, a 48-year-old New York man. As a result of the altercation attendees of the tournament fled the facility. Investigators have been able to review some video from the scene and are still investigating what led to the altercation.
Investigators are asking for anyone with video of the incident or who was present at the tournament who have not yet spoke to police to call Westford Police at (978) 692-2161.
“This was a frightening and potentially dangerous situation that has no place in youth sports,” said District Attorney Ryan. “We have put a focus in Middlesex County on building a culture of safe and respectful behavior on the sidelines at these types of events and that is not what occurred yesterday. These types of altercations among adults are unacceptable and can have lasting impacts on our young people.”
“We are very thankful for all the witnesses that came forward to lead to a quick identification of the parties involved which resulted in the arrest and seizure of the firearm. Additionally, we are extremely fortunate that there were no serious injuries as a result of this incident,” added Chief Chambers.
At today’s arraignment Judge Tejal Mehta ordered the defendant held on $1,000 bail in this case, the defendant’s bail was subsequently revoked on an open case out of Boston. The next date in this case is June 6, 2022. The prosecutor who handled today’s arraignment was Owen Ladd.