A man allegedly assaulted three Boston police officers Friday morning after he became aggressive and refused to leave Boston City Hall. 

Police said Michael Williams, 51, of Bridgewater, went to the fifth floor of City Hall around 9:40 a.m. to attend a meeting that had been canceled when he allegedly became aggressive and refused to leave.

Witnesses also reported the man had yelled racial slurs at a group visiting City Hall. City Hall employees called Boston police, and officers arrived and attempted to arrest him. 

According to police, Williams bit one officer in the hand, drawing blood, and punched another as they attempted to take him into custody. Williams is also accused of pushing a third officer during the booking process.

City Councilor Erin Murphy told local media that her staff heard loud screaming and people yelling. Employees shut the door out of fear Williams would enter and cause harm.

“[City Hall] is also the People’s Building, and we shouldn’t be locked indoors. People have a right to come in, but when you hear that someone is having a fight to the point when the police came to support, they were attacked too, is unsettling for sure,” Murphy told WCVB.

In response to the incident, Mayor Michelle Wu said, “I’m especially thankful for [the officers’] quick response to protect staff and members of the public. No officer should be subjected to injury or harmed for doing their job, and I wish them a quick recovery.”

Williams was ordered to undergo an evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital, and his bail was set at $25,000. The Boston Police Patrolman’s Association called the incident “disturbing” and urged that Williams be prosecuted to set an example to deter similar behavior against officers. 

“The idea that any person would bite a police officer is inexcusable and disturbing. Prosecuting this individual to the fullest extent of the law is certainly necessary and needed to send a strong, clear message that it’s never okay to hurt or harm a police officer,” the group wrote on Facebook.