Boston City Worker Arrested with Illegal Machine Gun After Violent Traffic Stop

On July 30, 2025, Nasiru Ibrahim, a 25-year-old Boston city employee in the graffiti removal division, was arrested after a violent traffic stop in South Boston. Pulled over by State Trooper Matthew Hickey for tinted windows, Ibrahim became agitated when questioned about a backpack in his vehicle.

As he attempted to flee by shifting his Jeep into drive, Hickey dove headfirst through the driver’s window to stop him, leading to a physical struggle captured on body and dash cameras.During the confrontation, Hickey deployed his Taser on Ibrahim’s abdomen, fearing for his life and public safety in the pedestrian-heavy area. Ibrahim grabbed the Taser, using it against Hickey. Hickey struck Ibrahim twice in the face and used a fish-hook maneuver to subdue him.

An off-duty Boston Police officer assisted in the arrest. A search revealed a loaded 9mm pistol with a Glock switch, converting it to a fully automatic machine gun, wrapped in a city-issued sweatshirt. Ibrahim, unlicensed to carry, faces a dozen charges, including illegal possession of a machine gun and assault on an officer.

Ibrahim, hired 14 months prior despite a criminal record including a juvenile assault to murder conviction and a five-year sentence, was placed on unpaid leave. His attorney, Peter Marano, argues the stop was questionable, citing the minor infraction, and notes Ibrahim supports his family. Mayor Michelle Wu announced Ibrahim’s termination, citing the illegal weapon, but defended the city’s reentry hiring program, disputing claims of a seven-page criminal record.