Somerville Man Arrested After Threatening Construction Workers

SOMERVILLE, MA – A Somerville man was arrested last week after he allegedly threatened to kill a group of construction workers and kicked one who tried to intervene. On Monday, May 21, an officer working a construction detail on Cedar Street was flagged down and saw Joseph Shahbazian, 47, shouting at the construction workers.

Shahbazian was yelling anti-gay slurs, cursing and threatening to kill the workers, according to the police report. He told the officer he wanted the workers off property that he claimed he owned. According to the report, the workers were on a public way at the corner of Cedar Street and Cedar Avenue.

Shahbazian continued to yell at the workers and the responding officer and complained that he could not get into his driveway and had to park around the corner, police said. He began swearing at one worker in particular, who told the officer Shahbazian kicked him when he tried to get Shahbazian to stop kicking the work truck.

After the officer told Shahbazian to go back inside, he allegedly threatened to kill the workers and the officer and used an anti-gay slur again.

The officer worried that Shahbazian may attempt to arm himself once inside, so he placed him under arrest. Shahbazian initially resisted and told the officer not to touch him, but was ultimately placed in custody.

Shahbazian was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and threatening to commit a crime.

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