Over $430,000 poured into a GoFundMe for a Boston cop charged with manslaughter after shooting an unarmed fleeing carjacker—but what does body-cam footage we can’t see really show?
Story Snapshot
- Boston Officer Nicholas O’Malley, 33, shot and killed Stephenson King, 39, during a March 11, 2026, traffic stop in Roxbury after King carjacked a woman minutes earlier.
- O’Malley faces voluntary manslaughter; Suffolk DA claims no imminent threat justified firing at the moving vehicle.
- The officer’s GoFundMe exploded to over $414K, signaling massive “back the blue” support amid legal fight.
- King’s violent criminal history contrasts with his unarmed status, fueling debate on split-second police decisions.
- Case heads to grand jury; community demands unreleased body-cam video for transparency.
The Chaotic Confrontation Unfolds
Stephenson King assaulted a woman, dragged her from her running SUV, and sped off in Roxbury on March 11, 2026. Officers Nicholas O’Malley and his partner spotted the stolen vehicle fifteen minutes later in Linwood Square. King raised his hands partially but ignored commands to exit and shut off the engine. He reversed into their cruiser while fleeing, prompting O’Malley’s warning before firing three shots through the driver’s window as the SUV lurched forward. King died from the wounds.
DA Charges Officer Despite Criminal’s Record
Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden announced voluntary manslaughter charges on March 19, 2026. Hayden cited Massachusetts law and Boston PD rules prohibiting shots at moving vehicles without imminent threat. Body-cam shows non-compliance but no vehicle aimed at officers. King boasted an extensive record: 2023 carjacking assault, later theft, 2024 pedestrian bottle attack and stabbing. O’Malley, unaware of this history on scene, now fights charges in court.
Massive Fundraiser Reveals Blue Wall Strength
A fellow Boston officer launched “Backing the Badge” GoFundMe, surging past $414,000 by March 22, 2026. Donors rallied for O’Malley, father of two young children from Randolph, MA, facing suspension, electronic monitoring, and soaring legal bills. City Councilor John FitzGerald urged caution on split-second judgments against a “known violent criminal.” This outpouring underscores police solidarity, contrasting DA’s push for accountability.
Defense hints at political motives in Hayden’s rare charging of a Boston officer for a fleeing suspect shooting. Facts align with common sense: officers risk lives daily; ignoring a repeat carjacker’s flight endangers public safety. Hayden denies politics, insisting probable cause drives the case to grand jury.
Roxbury Tensions Echo Historic Clashes
Roxbury, a high-crime predominantly Black neighborhood, simmers with past police shooting scars like 1994-1995 Dorismond and Lopes cases. King’s death as an unarmed Black man sparks justice calls from family and activist Kambon, who dismisses his record as irrelevant since O’Malley didn’t know it. GBH’s public records request for body-cam footage got denied to protect the probe. Protests demand release; meanwhile, “back the blue” views polarize the divide.
Future Stakes for Police and Policy
O’Malley pleads not guilty at Roxbury Municipal Court arraignment, released on conditions. Grand jury decides Superior Court indictment next. Short-term, his family strains under finances; long-term, outcome could reshape BPD vehicle pursuit training and Massachusetts use-of-force rules. Fundraiser success boosts crowdfunding for embattled cops, straining DA-PD ties. Roxbury weighs safety against eroding trust—will unseen footage tip the scales?
Sources:
Community demands body-cam footage after police killing of unarmed Black man in Roxbury
A look at the political reaction to BPD officer charged in Dot man’s shooting death
