North End

Boston police search for man wanted in North End shooting

A bullet hole was left in the window of Modern Pastry in Boston's North End Wednesday night; Friday, police said Patrick Mendoza was wanted on charges including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon

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Police are searching for Patrick Mendoza after he allegedly fired shots at a man, hitting a window of Modern Pastry.

Police in Boston say they are looking for a man wanted in a shooting at Modern Pastry in the North End.

The Boston Police Department is asking for the public to help find 54-year-old Patrick Mendoza of Boston.

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Shots were fired Wednesday night, leaving a bullet hole in a window of Modern Pastry.

The gunfire broke out on a busy Hanover Street, a popular spot for diners and tourists.

Police said Mendoza was wanted on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery. A court document obtained by NBC10 Boston also lists charges of assault to murder, witness intimidation, possession of a firearm and ammunition without an FID card and carrying a loaded firearm without a license.

In an incident report released Friday by the Boston Police Department, Mendoza is accused of firing a snub-nosed .38 revolver at a victim, who was not injured in the attack.

The police report says Mendoza was riding a bike down Handover Street when he began yelling and swearing at the man, telling him, "I'm gonna get you." He then allegedly turned around on his bike, dropped it in the street, pulled the gun and shot it.

Surveillance footage of the incident appears to show a cyclist firing at least one shot while still on a bike, then firing again in the direction of another man.

The victim told police he has known Mendoza for about 20 years, and that there has been an ongoing feud between the two men in the last several years. Police are aware of two prior incidents involving them.

"I think it's a disgrace," said Adrian DeStefano, who owns Caffe Paradiso right next door to Modern. "We're in the North End, the Italian community, very safe, now what are people going to say, 'We're not safe anymore?'"

According to police the victim said he started "running for my life" down Hanover Street after Mendoza fired two shots, with one narrowly missing him and hitting the shop's window.

"Just heard a bunch of screaming after one huge pop off," said witness Fernando Moya. "It almost sounded like an earthquake because it was so loud."

"The North End, in my opinion, has always had, like, an invisible curtain that keeps any riff raff out of Boston, so the fact that something like that happened up here is just absolutely insane," said Justin Iannelli, manager of Hanover Street restaurant Casarecce. "When something like that happens up here, it just changes the whole safety dynamic of the entire neighborhood."

Mendoza is considered armed and dangerous, police said. Anyone who comes into contact with him is advised to call 911 immediately.

Anonymous tips can also be left by calling 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting "TIP" to 27463.

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