Investigators Appeal to the Community for Information
The Boston Police Department is investigating a shooting incident which occurred last evening in the gymnasium of the John Marshall School in Dorchester.
On November 17, 2009 at approximately 6:52pm, officers responded to 35 Westville Street (Marshall School) for a report of a person shot. On arrival, it was determined that the victim, a 22 year old black male, had fled the scene and was located on nearby Corona Street. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries and was treated at a local hospital.
The preliminary investigation has determined that this was not a random incident and the victim is believed to have been the target. The victim is well-known to law enforcement and has been uncooperative with the investigation.
In a statement Commissioner Ed Davis stated, “The Boston Police Department is coordinating efforts to aggressively pursue the individual responsible for this outrageous act. The brazenness of this incident is alarming and unacceptable. As a community, we must have no tolerance for this. The department is dedicated to holding these perpetrators accountable and removing them from our community.”
In response to this incident:
• Community members will experience a significant increase to police presence in the area.
• The CrimeStoppers Unit and Community Service Officers have been deployed to speak with residents, develop leads, reassure the community and distribute the Anonymous Text-A-Tip brochure.
• Officers are working closely with the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC) and specialized units to monitor and suppress any potential for retaliatory activity.
• Boston Police are specifically targeting impact players; particularly those we believe are involved in violent activity in that area.
• Boston Police and the Boston Police School Police Unit are closely coordinating with relevant city agencies such as Boston Public Schools and Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) to ensure a strategic safety plan.
• Additional Boston Police School Police have been assigned to the school.
• BCYF is deploying additional streetworkers and center staff to the Marshall until further notice.
• A trauma team from the Boston Public Health Commission will be on site today.
• A Constituent Response Team will be deployed to the area to address any quality of life concerns for residents.
Detectives are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the C-11 District detectives at (617) 343-4335.
Community members who wish to assist this investigation and remain anonymous should contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).
The Boston Police Department will stringently protect the identity of those who wish to remain anonymous.