Two dead, five injured after multiple shootings on Friday – Boston 25 News

The Mattapan shooting was the fourth that day being investigated by Boston police; investigations are ongoing in Roxbury, Dorchester and Jamaica Plain.

“It is unacceptable and always devastating when we wake up at night and realize that the lives of some families in our city have changed forever,” Mayor Michelle Wu said at an event on City Hall Plaza before news of the fourth shooting arrived Friday.

An earlier shooting in Roxbury ended fatally, according to Boston police.

Officers said they went to 618 Shawmut Avenue for a report of a person being shot in Ramsay Park and found an adult male with a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. The shooting occurred at approximately 1:33 a.m. Police say there have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.

“My heart goes out to those recovering and those grieving today,” Wu said. “We’ve seen tremendous progress and a trend in the right direction this year in terms of violence across the city, and this week and this weekend we’re always on high alert because so many people are out and about and unfortunately we have a lot more work to do.”

A man named Robert, who lives near the scene in Roxbury, said he heard what sounded like fireworks. He said shootings are a problem in that part of the neighborhood.

( After shootings on July 4, bullet casings were found in “several” locations in Cambridge, police said )

“They all gather here, it’s a one-way street, and one guy blows his whistle when he sees a cop car coming. You just have to see it to believe it,” Robert said. He continued, “It’s just horrible. When you walk out the door, you have to worry about getting shot by a passing car. I don’t know how to solve the problem, but all I can do is put more pressure on the situation.”

Robert hopes a change could make a difference for Ramsay Park.

“The park needs to be lit at night. There are all kinds of crimes there at night, it’s pitch black, the park needs floodlights, it needs to be lit.” Robert continued: “Criminals don’t like light. That’s just a fact. Of course they don’t like light because it makes them visible. Darkness is their element.”

In Jamaica Plain, three people were shot and injured immediately before the shooting in Roxbury.

Police said they went to 287 Centre Street and found three adults with gunshot wounds. They were all taken to the hospital with injuries that police said were not life-threatening. No arrests were reported in that shooting either.

Later Friday, around 5:30 a.m., police responded to a shooting at a Dorchester gas station at 783 Blue Hill Avenue. The victim is being treated at Boston Medical Center. The person’s injuries are also considered non-life-threatening and no arrests have been made as part of the investigation.

About eight officers walked in a line through the parking lot with flashlights, searching for evidence. They also placed several evidence markers near the gas pumps.

“Even if a shooting is not fatal, it is still traumatic. And when a life is lost, it is even more painful and serious for the community,” Wu said.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates as more information becomes available.

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