Police say boy, 4, was victim of gang-related shooting
The 4-year-old boy shot in the back at a Dorchester playground last night was the victim of a stray bullet in what appears to be a gang-related shooting at a park plagued by problems, Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said at an afternoon news conference.
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“It’s outrageous an incident like this could take place,’’ an angry Davis said during the news conference at the intersection of Blue Hill Avenue and Talbot Avenue, not far from where the shooting occurred at Harambee Park.
Davis said police had recovered ballistic evidence from the scene and that several witnesses had provided information to the police, but more is needed to solve the crime.
“This was a wanton disregard for the safety of the public, and we need to have everyone stand up and decry this type of activity,’’ Davis said.
Davis said a preliminary investigation found that several people believed to be involved in the shooting fled on foot — in contrast to initial reports from police that the shooters were on motorbikes. Davis also said the shooting was gang-related, confirming that police have seen gang activity in the area.
The commissioner said police will step up patrols, and other city agencies such as the Boston Public Health Commission will provide extra services in the area of the park, which has become a problem place recently as warm weather has arrived.
The boy, who was not identified, had some scary moments last night but is expected to survive, said a Dorchester minister who was at the hospital with the victim and his family.
“It was touch and go for a while but the boy is in stable condition now,’’ the Rev. William E. Dickerson said this morning. Dickerson, who is pastor of the Greater Love Tabernacle, said he, the family, and community members prayed over the child at Boston Medical Center.
“He is doing better,’’ Dickerson said of the boy, whom authorities said was hit in the back.
No arrests have been made.
Police said violence has been spiking along Blue Hill Avenue. Last night’s shooting was the third shooting in the same neighborhood since June 7.
The child was shot at about 9:20 p.m. at the playground, near Talbot Avenue and Wales Street. In a press conference last night, Superintendent Bruce Holloway said the child was with his family when he was hit.
Dickerson said the boy was standing with his mother when he was wounded.
A second victim, a man, was grazed in the foot during the shooting. His wound was not serious, said Holloway. He was taken to Carney Hospital, Boston EMS officials said.
After the shooting, police scoured nearby Franklin Field. A line of about two dozen police officers formed and marched down Wales Street, searching for ballistic or other evidence. A large crowd gathered around Talbot Avenue, as police cordoned off the area.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino issued a statement in which he said his “primary concern tonight is for the young child and his family.’’
“I spoke with the police commissioner this evening, and he assured me that he has every resource possible searching for those responsible,’’ Menino said. “Any gun violence in our city is unacceptable, but when it involves a young child, you can only feel sadness and anger. With the public’s help, we will stop those who seek to bring violence to our neighborhoods.’’
A group associated with the Franklin Field area has been feuding with other gangs in Dorchester. Davis said police are investigating whether warring groups in the area could be responsible.
Davis said that just before the shooting there were many families in the park, enjoying the balmy weather, sitting on nearby porches, and having cookouts.
“It’s outrageous that someone would do something like this in a public park,’’ Davis said. “It’s not acceptable.’’
Shanteal Cooper and several other people on a Talbot Avenue porch said last night that they saw the muzzle flashes from the shots, followed by screams and people fleeing in all directions.
“It’s just sad,’’ she said. “There’s children out here, and they’re shooting. I am to the point where this is just crazy.’’
Charles C. Yancey, a Boston city councilor, responded to the scene. “The shooting of a 4-year-old baby in the city of Boston should be of concern to virtually everybody in this region,’’ he said last night. “It is not acceptable.’’
Yancey, who represents parts of Dorchester, called on Boston police to enforce traffic laws aggressively and be more aggressive with young people speeding and driving recklessly on dirt bikes and scooters.
An hour before the shooting, police investigated reports of motorbikes speeding through the area. Generally, police say, they hesitate to chase or pull over youths on motorized bikes because of the danger of the pursuit.
“If they are breaking the law, they should be pulled over,’’ said Yancey. “If it is not tolerated in Back Bay or Beacon Hill, it shouldn’t be tolerated here.’’ Yancey called on members of his community to come forward with information. “The information is out there in this community,’’ he said. “The entire community is outraged.’’
Boston has a heartbreaking history of young children being felled by gunfire.
In 2002, 10-year-old Trina Persad was killed with a shotgun as she was leaving Jermaine Goffigan Park in Roxbury.
In 1988, Darlene Tiffany Moore, 12, of Roxbury, was killed by gunfire while sitting atop a mailbox in Roxbury.
In September 2010, an 8-year-old girl was injured on her porch in Dorchester after she was struck in the back of the leg by a bullet.
In June 2010, a 10-year-old girl was shot in the leg in Roxbury.
Last night’s shooting followed a weekend in which two men were killed in Boston. A 25-year-old man, who was shot multiple times in Dorchester Sunday night, became the city’s 20th homicide victim of the year when he died at Boston Medical Center.
Police and EMS workers responded to East Cottage and Sumner streets, where they found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds, Boston police said.
On Saturday, a 21-year-old man died at Boston Medical Center after he checked himself in, shot multiple times, just after 11 p.m. Police found ballistics evidence in the area of 124 Eustis St. in Roxbury shortly before getting the call to the center.
Neither victim has been identified by police, and no arrests have been made.
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