BOSTON — Mayor Michelle Wu broke her silence on the manslaughter charge against Boston Police Officer Nicholas O'Malley on Thursday, saying she is "grateful" to District Attorney Kevin Hayden for bringing the case.
"I am grateful to District Attorney Hayden and Commissioner Cox for the urgency, thoroughness, and transparency of this investigation," Wu said in a statement. "The swift action taken underscores Boston's unwavering commitment to accountability and justice."
The statement came hours after dozens of Boston police officers flooded Roxbury District Court in a show of solidarity for O'Malley, packing the hallways and courtroom benches as their fellow officer was arraigned.
The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association had called the charge "outrageous" and accused the DA's office of "Monday morning quarterbacking."
No on camera availability today but just in a couple of written statements for your reading pleasure from Bostons Mayor and top cop on arrest of Officer Nick O’Malley today after DA determined fatal officer involved shooting last week wasn’t justified #7News pic.twitter.com/LOha4zkMgT— Steve Cooper (@scooperon7) March 19, 2026
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Wu made no mention of the officers who showed up to support O'Malley. She did not address the union's criticism. She did not reference King's criminal history, including a prior arrest for carrying a loaded ghost gun.
Instead, she thanked the man who charged her officer.
O'Malley, 33, was charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the March 11 fatal shooting of Stephenson King, 39, of Dorchester. King had allegedly carjacked a woman on Tremont Street, rammed a police cruiser, and was attempting to flee in the stolen vehicle when O'Malley fired three shots through the driver's window.
Court documents describe bodycam footage of O'Malley warning King, "Bro, I'm gonna fucking shoot you," before King reversed the stolen car into the cruiser and tried to escape.
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DA Hayden, a Democrat, concluded O'Malley was "not acting in proper self-defense or defense of another." He said the bodycam was "important" to the investigation but announced the footage will not be released to the public.
O'Malley was released on personal recognizance.
This is a developing story.
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