WHERE DID THE STANDOFF OCCUR?
The tense confrontation occurred on Interstate 95.
The highway was shut down between Lynnfield and Stoneham, with Massachusetts State Police asking drivers to avoid the area.
Nine men armed with rifles and handguns exited a vehicle during a stop along Route 128 and fled into a wooded area, according to the Wakefield police.
11 SUSPECTS NOW IN CUSTODY
At a press briefing Saturday, police gave an update that 11 suspects are currently in custody.
"11 armed individuals standing with armed guns slung standing by the highway certainly raises concerns," a police officer said of the arrest.
The police also conducted sweeps of the two vehicles in the area.
WHY DID POLICE ARREST THE GROUP?
A total of nine people have been arrested after cops issued a "shelter in place" order for Wakefield and nearby Reading because group members were at large in the area and "refusing the put down their weapons."
The group of men, armed with rifles and handguns, exited a vehicle during a stop along Route 128, according to the Wakefield police.
Understood to be members of "The Rise of The Moors – The Moorish American Arms," they were reportedly wearing tactical-style gear and carrying an assortment of pistols and rifles for "training."
WHAT DO POLICE KNOW ABOUT 'RISE OF THE MOORS'?
State Police Col. Christopher Mason said that the group self-identifies on their website as "Moorish Americans dedicated to educating new Moors and influencing our Elders."
“Their self-professed leader wanted very much known their ideology is not anti-government,” Mason said.
“Our investigation will provide us more insight into what their motivation, what their ideology is.”
WHAT DID THE GROUP SAY IN YOUTUBE VIDEOS?
Authorities confirmed that members of the group posted a video to the YouTube account, Rise of the Moors, on Saturday morning.
One video shows several men wearing camouflage clothing declaring "we are not anti-government."
In another video, one of the members says, "We're not anti-police, we're not sovereign citizens. We're not black identity extremists.
"The possession of a gun per se, constitutes no offense, so we haven't violated any laws."
POLICE CONFIRM SUSPECTS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
Police confirmed that the remaining suspects had been taken into custody late on Saturday morning, after being at large around 15 miles from Boston.
"Remaining suspects on highway have been taken into custody by MSP Special Tactical Operations Team," Mass Police tweeted.
"7 additional suspects being transported for booking. We will now conduct sweeps of their 2 vehicles and woods. Total of 9 in custody counting the initial 2 arrests."
