MBTA transit officer assaulted by Medford man shouting racial slurs

Police have arrested a Medford man who allegedly assaulted an officer, shouted racial slurs at MBTA employees and threatened authorities with death.

Xavier Galatis, 23, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon when police arrived at the Harvard Station around 2:20 p.m. after Galatis has allegedly not paid his fare and became violent when confronted by an MBTA employee, transit police reported.

Galatis allegedly met officers with the same belligerent behavior and threats that he had previously aimed at MBTA employees, police added. After refusing to leave the station as officers had requested, authorities said that Galatis instead continued to shout racial epithets.

When authorities attempted to arrest Galatis, he allegedly put up a lengthy struggle, violently striking one officer in the torso before he was subdued and taken into custody, police stated.

Galatis was taken to Transit Police HQ and was expected to be arraigned in Cambridge District Court on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, authorities added.