Boston police used a beanbag shotgun to disarm a man threatening to attack police and blow up his home, before arresting him on Saturday night. When police arrived at 383 Geneva Ave. in Dorchester about 9 p.m. Saturday they found Thomas Harrington, 32, allegedly holding a knife to his neck and threatening to attack the officers and kill himself. He had also turned on all of the gas burners on the stove and was threatening to “blow up” the home, police said. Harrington lives with his 56-year-old mother, whom police found in the home with minor injuries. Harrington allegedly assaulted her before police arrived. After Harrington refused to drop the knife, officers fired several shots from a beanbag shotgun, knocking him to the ground and forcing him to drop his knife. Officers then arrested Harrington on charges of assault and battery and assault by means of a dangerous weapon. He is set to be arraigned Monday.
Jacqueline Tempera can be reached at jacqueline.tempera@globe.com. Follow her on twitter @jacktemp