Lynn Man Charged in South Shore Plaza Assault

Originally published December 16, 2015

Update, Feb. 27, 2017 - Two counts of assault and battery and disorderly conduct were dismissed in Quincy District Court.

A Lynn man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after allegedly assaulting a shopper at the South Shore Plaza./p>

Solomon I. Mastin, 25, was charged with two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a security officer and resisting arrest, according to Police Chief Russ Jenkins.

The victim, a 34-year-old Braintree man told police that he was looking at his phone while in Macy’s when Mastin allegedly thrust his body into the man’s shoulder with such force that it moved him back. Mastin allegedly took a fighting stance and challenged the man to a fight after words were exchanged, but the Braintree man walked away,

Later, the two crossed paths in the food court where again, the two exchanged words and Mastin took a fighting stance. Mastin then allegedly punched the Braintree man in the face, knocking him down and kicked the man in the hip. The man got to his feet and attempted to get away from Mastin, who chased after him and continued to throw punches. The Braintree man was eventually able to get away. He suffered a facial injury and a shoulder injury and was later transported to South Shore Hospital for treatment.

Officers patrolling the mall were alerted to the assault and responded to the area. A store employee who witnessed the assault pointed Mastin out to a security officer, who was over a trash barrel when he attempted to talk to Mastin.

Officers encountered Mastin at the bottom of the escalator by CVS and attempted to detain him. Mastin continued to exit the mall where the officers attempted to place him under arrest. Mastin violently resisted the officer’s efforts, throwing a punch at one officer and was eventually sprayed with pepper spray, which seemed to have little effect.

Four officers were needed to take Mastin into custody.

Editor’s Note: Information in this article is from the Braintree Police Department. Arrests and charges mentioned do not imply conviction.