Man charged after altercation and shooting at pro-Israel rally: official

A 47-year-old Massachusetts man has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after he allegedly shot another person during an altercation at a pro-Israel demonstration in Newton, officials said Thursday evening.

The man suffered life-threatening injuries, authorities said at a brief press conference on Thursday evening. He is currently being treated at a local hospital, an official said.

The incident occurred around 6:40 p.m. when Newton police responded to 911 calls at the corner of Washington and Harvard streets, where a small group of people on one side of the street had decided to hold a pro-Israel demonstration, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said.

A person was walking across the street “completely by chance” and there was an exchange of words between the two parties, she explained.

This person, who Ryan said was not part of the protest group, began crossing the street, returned to his side of the street, then crossed the street again and “eventually jumped one of the protesters,” Ryan said, resulting in a “scuffle.”

“During this scuffle, the person who had crossed the street was shot by a member of the protesting group,” she said.

The 47-year-old suspected shooter was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and violation of a constitutional right causing personal injury, Ryan told media.

His arraignment will take place Friday in Newton District Court, she said.

Ryan said the investigation is still ongoing as it is still early.

ABC News’ Victoria Arancio contributed to this report.