DA Finds Law Enforcement Was Justified In Shooting Usaamah Rahim

The Suffolk County District Attorney concluded Boston police and the FBI were justified in shooting a man last summer who was under surveillance for alleged ties to a terrorist group.

Dan Conley announced Wednesday that his investigation found law enforcement officers were acting in self-defense when they shot 26-year-old Usaamah Rahim in a Roslindale parking lot.

On June 2, 2015, a surveillance team approached Rahim to prevent him from getting on a city bus. When they asked him to put his hands in the air, Rahim drew a large, military-style knife and advanced toward the officers, Conley said.

"Mr. Rahim continued to advance on the officers, refused to drop his weapon and responded by saying, 'You drop yours, why don't you shoot me.' Mr. Rahim continued his armed advance until he was within several feet of the officers," Conley said.

Ronald Sullivan, the attorney for Rahim's family, is calling for another investigation. He says Rahim's rights were violated.

"If they had enough information to justify an arrest, they could have gotten a warrant and effected an arrest in the proper way," he said.

Police say they stopped Rahim that day because they suspected he and two other men were planning an ISIS-inspired attack on police officers.