Boston Police report a patrol in the area of gunfire in Dorchester last night ended with the arrest of a man who kept pointing a loaded gun at officers.

Police say members of the gang unit were patrolling the area of Southern Avenue and Elmhurst Street around 10 p.m. - following a burst of gunfire there 3 1/2 hours earlier - when they noticed a car with a bad registration with three men inside stopped on Southern with the motor running:

When the officers pulled behind the vehicle and turned on their lights and siren, one of the passengers, later identified as Guarionex Joaquin, 23, of Dorchester, immediately exited the vehicle and took off running while clutching at the waistband of his pants. Believing the suspect could be armed with a weapon, the officers gave chase. As the suspect turned onto Elmhurst Street, he suddenly turned back towards the officers and pulled out a silver handgun, which he then pointed at the officers who were now in close proximity to the suspect. One officer drew his department issued firearm while the other officer pushed the armed suspect to the ground. As the suspect hit the pavement, he briefly dropped his handgun, but was able to quickly pick it up and again point it at the officers. At this time, a third officer on scene, believing that the suspect was about to shoot his brother officers, charged the suspect, throwing himself on him, causing the suspect’s gun to fall onto the sidewalk within arm's reach. The officers struggled to place the suspect in custody while he made several attempts to grab the firearm a third time.

Police say the officers finally Joaquin secured, at which point they picked up what turned out to be a loaded .32-caliber Clerke 1st Smith & Wesson revolver.

Joaquin was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and resisting arrest, police say.

Innocent, etc.