The Boston Police Department reports officers used a "less lethal" shotgun Saturday night to capture a man inside an apartment at 383 Geneva Ave. who was armed with a knife and who had turned on all the gas on the stove.

"Officers observed that the suspect had turned on the gas burners on the stove and was threatening to blow up the house," police say in a statement. "Officers also learned that prior to their arrival, the male had assaulted his elderly mother.

"After the male ignored several commands by the officers to drop the knife, two supervisors deployed multiple shots from a 'less-lethal' shotgun, striking the suspect, and causing him to drop the knife. Officers were able to take the suspect into custody without further incident or injury."

Police Commissioner William Evans praised the officers for their restraint in dealing with a violent individual in a dangerous situation.

Thomas Harrington, 32, was charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon.