Crime

Man accused in Boston Caribbean festival shooting is on the run after cutting off his ankle monitor, authorities say

Police are asking for the public's help to find Gerald Vick, 31, of Dorchester.

Gerald L. Vick Jr. during a 2023 court appearance in Dorchester Municipal Court. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

December 3, 2024

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Police are searching for a suspect in a 2023 shooting that injured eight after he allegedly cut off his ankle monitor early Monday morning.

The Boston Police Department released a statement asking for the public’s help to find Gerald Vick, who was allegedly involved in a shooting near the J’ouvert parade in Dorchester last August.

Court records said Vick, 31, failed to appear in court for a hearing on Monday. Probation officials reported a violation of Vick’s Electronic Monitor (ELMO) in Suffolk Superior Court.

According to the docket for the case, Vick’s GPS strap stopped working just after 1 a.m. on Dec. 2, the same day he was due in court. Judge Mark A. Hallal issued a search warrant for Vick during the hearing, court records show.

Vick accused in Boston J’ouvert shooting that injured 8

Police said Vick, of Dorchester, was involved in an incident on Aug. 26, 2023 near the J’ouvert parade, which kicks off the annual Boston Caribbean Carnival. Officers responded to the area of Blue Hill Avenue and Talbot Avenue in Dorchester around 7:44 a.m. after officers heard and saw gunshots, the department said.

Eight people were shot during the incident, according to police. First responders took six of the victims to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, police said. BPD said two other victims were grazed and declined treatment.

Officers at the incident arrested Vick and one other suspect shortly after the shooting, police saId. Vick allegedly had a 9mm pistol with a large capacity magazine on him at the time, the statement said.

Three other suspects were arrested and charged in connection with the shooting, court records show. Hubman Hunter Jr., 31, Sebastian Monteiro Fernandez, 21, and Dwayne Francis, 30, have all pleaded not guilty on various charges relating to the shooting, records show.

Court records show Vick pleaded not guilty to eight counts of assault and battery with a firearm, as well as illegal possession of a firearm. He faces up to 160 years in prison if convicted, records show.

The BPD alert about Vick describes him as a 5’6″ Black man around 155 pounds with multiple tattoos. Police said anyone with information on Vick’s location should contact them at (617) 343-4712. They urged anyone who sees Vick to contact 911.

Representatives for Vick did not immediately reply to a request for comment.