Police at the scene. —Lane Turner / The Boston Globe

A man died after he was shot several times near the Prudential Center Tuesday morning, according to police, who say a suspect is facing charges.

Authorities responded to a radio report of a shooting at 10:58 a.m. around 120 Huntington Ave. near West Newton Street — the busy thoroughfare outside the prominent Colonnade Hotel.

Officers at the scene found a man — believed to be between 30 and 40 years old — suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said.

He was brought to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, he said.

“As a result of witnesses coming forward, people calling 911, we were able to locate a potential suspect on Ring Road,” Gross said during a press conference near the scene. “The witnesses cooperated with police, there was a detail officer on scene, and a potential suspect was placed under arrest.”


Later Tuesday, police announced that Phillip Foy, 34, of Pawtucket, was the man arrested after he fled the scene in a taxi. He is facing charges of murder, armed carjacking, and unlawful possession of a firearm and was expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.

Police also recovered a firearm, according to Gross.

City leaders joined in offering their condolences to the victim’s family, while praising the public for its help in bringing about a swift arrest.

“This is how we solve crime here in Boston,” Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins told reporters. “We had good Samaritans that engaged in heroic behavior, (that) got the police involved.”

An investigation at the scene remained active early in the afternoon as investigators spoke to witnesses and gathered evidence, including any video footage that may have recorded the incident.

Huntington Avenue was roped off by yellow crime scene tape, bringing what is usually a bustling Back Bay traffic channel to a standstill.

“We very rarely have a daytime shooting in the City of Boston, and it’s something that’s horrible and sad,” Mayor Marty Walsh said.

After the shooting, pedestrians and drivers were asked to avoid the area, especially Huntington Avenue between Copley Square and Massachusetts Avenue, and Massachusetts State Police closed both eastbound ramps on the Mass. Pike at Exit 22, officials said in a tweet. The Pike ramps reopened shortly before 2 p.m.


Walsh warned the investigation would affect the evening rush hour.

“This crime scene could be up for hours,” he said.