New Bedford North End Gunamn, Hernandez, Declared Dangerous
30-year-old John Hernandez acknowledged gestures of support from friends as he heard the results of his dangerousness hearing in New Bedford District Court Friday morning.
Hernandez faces multiple charges in connection with the four-hour standoff with police last week at a North End condo complex.
The only officer to return fire after he was fired upon by hernandez, testified at the hearing this morning. Officer David Michalski, a nine-year veteran of the New Bedford Police Department, said it was the only time he had ever been fired upon, and the only time he had ever discharged his gun on duty.
Officer Michalski said he was informed the weapon Hernandez possessed had a laser-sight installed on it. Michalski says while taking cover behind a tree, he observed a laser light coming out of the basement apartment window where Hernandez had barricaded himself in. At several points, the laser became transfixed on Officer Michalski, with at least two shots being fired in his general direction. Michalski immediately returned fire.
No one was injured during the shootout, and Hernandez peacefully surrendered after four hours.
After hearing Michalski's testimony, the judge declared Hernandez a danger to the community, and ordered him held without bail until a probable cause hearing on May 3.
Hernandez was also sentenced to a year in prison for a probation violation stemming from a prior arrest.