A black police officer says he was assaulted by a white officer.

RANDOLPH, Mass. (AP) – Police here are investigating a confrontation between a black, off-duty Boston police officer and a white Randolph officer who allegedly pointed a gun at the man’s head and knocked him to the ground.

Officer Anthony Williams says he was off-duty and coming out of a sandwich shop on North Main Street on June 21 when a white, uniformed officer approached with his gun pointed at Williams’ head.

Williams’ attorney, Richard Hayes, told The Boston Globe that the Randolph officer, who was not identified, used profanity and yelled at Williams to get down.

Despite his efforts to explain that he was a Boston officer and that he had a badge and gun, Williams alleges the Randolph officer walked behind him and allegedly struck him in the back of the head, knocking him to the ground.

Williams, a six-year veteran assigned to the Mattapan and Roxbury neighborhoods, was handcuffed. His revolver and badge were confiscated. He was held that way for about 10-15 minutes, until a Randolph officer who knew Williams identified him.

By that time, there were at least three Randolph police cruisers and four officers at the scene, Hayes said.

Randolph police Lt. Richard Crowley, who was the commanding officer on June 21, told The Patriot Ledger of Quincy that Williams has the same last name as the victim of a shooting and police believed was looking to retaliate.

Rome Williams, 29, of Randolph, was shot outside a nearby barber shop about eight hours before the confrontation between Williams and the Randolph officer. He drives a white Cadillac Escalade, Crowley said. Anthony Williams drives a white Ford Explorer.

Williams was eventually freed and treated for cuts and abrasions at Caritas Carney Hospital. He did not return calls seeking comment on Wednesday. Hayes, his attorney, also did not immediately return a phone call.

Crowley said the matter will be investigated.

“I spoke today with the attorney for Officer Williams, and discussed the incident with (Acting Police Chief Robert Churchill),” Crowley said. “We have our own version of what happened, but that will be a part of the investigation.”

AP-ES-07-02-03 1834EDT

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