Far-left Boston Mayor Michelle Wu sparked controversy over the weekend after offering condolences to the family of a knife-wielding suspect who was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer. The suspect had allegedly attempted to stab two people on Saturday night.
According to police, the unidentified suspect brandished a knife near a Chick-fil-A on Boylston Street, a busy area in downtown Boston. An off-duty officer witnessed the attack and intervened, ultimately shooting the suspect to prevent harm to the victims. During a Saturday night press conference, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox stated that the officer identified himself and ordered the suspect to drop the weapon before using lethal force, Fox News reported.
“The individual was trying to stab the two individuals in the store, and the off-duty officer identified himself as a police officer, instructing them to drop the weapon, at which point the individual did not comply,” Cox explained. “The officer discharged his weapon to stop the threat, and the individual was struck. The armed individual was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.” Cox added that he was “proud of police officers who activate themselves, whether it’s on duty or off duty, to try to save lives.”
After Cox and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden acknowledged the tragic nature of the incident, Mayor Wu notably expressed sympathy only for those “impacted” by the event—focusing on the suspect and his family—rather than the two individuals who were nearly stabbed. She also emphasized that the incident took place in “one of the busier parts” of Boston but did not specifically address the victims.
“My condolences, and all of our thoughts, are with the family of the individual whose life has been lost,” Wu said. “And I’m also thinking of all the people who were impacted here today in one of the busier parts of the city with this tragedy.” She added: “I’m glad that the officer is safe and very grateful for a quick response from all of our first responders here again.” Her remarks drew no small amount of ire on social media.
Journalist Jonathan Choe wrote that “[i]t’s all upside down in Boston.” He noted further: “When is the last time you heard of a mayor apologizing to the family of a knife wielding attacker who allegedly tried to kill multiple people? What about the people who were nearly killed?”
“Boston, I’m going to say this as simply as I can: You desperately need a new mayor. Trust me,” conservative commentator Charlie Kirk said in a different X post. Fox News contributor Joe Concha, a former Boston resident, also weighed in on the incident. “How exactly did Boston vote for this again?” Concha wrote. “I lived in the Back Bay area. It was one of the safest parts of the city. And she’s offering condolences????”
How exactly did Boston vote for this again? I lived in the Back Bay area. It was one of the safest parts of the city. And she’s offering condolences???? https://t.co/NkOW2PbDNi
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) March 2, 2025
