DORCHESTER— A routine motor vehicle stop turned dramatic when officers discovered a concealed firearm during a search. At approximately 5:35 PM on January 22, 2026, the Youth Violence Strike Force, along with Boston Housing Police, pulled over a vehicle near Washington Street after witnessing it fail to yield to a pedestrian and child crossing a marked crosswalk. Upon investigation, officers found a loaded Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun hidden inside a sock in the trunk.

The driver was identified as 20-year-old Eric Barnes Jr. from Hyde Park. He faces serious charges including Carrying a Firearm Without a License and Carrying a Loaded Firearm, among others, and could be sentenced to up to five years in prison if convicted. Police say that Barnes attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended without incident, and he was also cited for operating a vehicle without a valid license and failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Barnes's arraignment is set for Dorchester District Court, where he will face the consequences of his alleged actions. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about unlicensed drivers and firearm possession in the area.