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Eight people were shot during a Boston Caribbean Carnival celebration in the city's Dorchester neighborhood Saturday morning, according to police. Boston police initially reported that seven people were injured in the shooting, which happened shortly before 7:45 a.m. in the area of 10 Talbot Ave. But shortly before 4:30 p.m., a spokesperson for the Boston Police Department said investigators linked an additional victim to the shooting near the intersection of Talbot and Blue Hill avenues.Video above: Multiple people shot during Boston Caribbean Carnival celebrationBoston police Commissioner Michael Cox said the first seven shooting victims were suffering from non-life-threatening injuries. The nature of the eighth victim's injuries are unclear at this time, but Cox did state during a news conference that another person who was not among the initial seven victims may have been grazed by a bullet.Cox said the gunfire erupted while the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Boston's J'ouvert parade was happening, but he noted the shooting was not related to the parade since it happened on the outskirts of the parade route."It seems to potentially be, maybe, two groups having some sort of altercation," said the police commissioner. "Unfortunately, as a result of it being a large crime scene, we did stop the parade on Talbot Avenue."Cox said CACAB's main Caribbean Carnival parade, however, and the remainder of Saturday's events would go on as scheduled."We have no interest in having anything but peace among the universe, and so it was very, very difficult for me this morning to know that something occurred when we worked so hard — so incredibly hard — to put on something that is a more family-oriented event and peaceful," said CACAB president Shirley Shillingford."This joyous festival of Caribbean heritage may have been affected by senseless violence, but we stand with the many good people here today who will not let this violence define their cultural celebration," Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement.Cox said Boston police recovered multiple firearms and arrested two people in connection with the shooting. The police commissioner did not identify the suspects who are in custody."Today’s mass shooting highlights the gun violence crisis we are facing. This is a public health & public safety emergency," tweeted Boston City Council President Ed Flynn. "Boston police continue to confiscate and recover guns at an alarming rate and now is the time to come together and develop a gun violence strategy in Boston."The shooting also happened near the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston's Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club. NewsCenter 5 reporter Brianna Borghi spotted a Boys & Girls Club van in the area that appeared to have its front driver's side window shot out. The van was also tagged with spray paint."I am praying for the recovery of the victims, and grateful to the police and first responders who were on the scene. This is an event for children, on a Saturday morning, and it's appalling that bad actors would visit violence and evil on it," reads a statement from Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy.Cox said anyone with more information about the shooting, including visual evidence, should call Boston police detectives at 617-343-4712. Those who wish to provide an anonymous tip can call 1-800-494-8477 or text the word "TIP" to 27463.This year marks the 50th anniversary celebration of the Boston Caribbean Carnival parade.
Eight people were shot during a Boston Caribbean Carnival celebration in the city's Dorchester neighborhood Saturday morning, according to police.
Boston police initially reported that seven people were injured in the shooting, which happened shortly before 7:45 a.m. in the area of 10 Talbot Ave. But shortly before 4:30 p.m., a spokesperson for the Boston Police Department said investigators linked an additional victim to the shooting near the intersection of Talbot and Blue Hill avenues.
Video above: Multiple people shot during Boston Caribbean Carnival celebration
Boston police Commissioner Michael Cox said the first seven shooting victims were suffering from non-life-threatening injuries. The nature of the eighth victim's injuries are unclear at this time, but Cox did state during a news conference that another person who was not among the initial seven victims may have been grazed by a bullet.
Cox said the gunfire erupted while the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Boston's J'ouvert parade was happening, but he noted the shooting was not related to the parade since it happened on the outskirts of the parade route.
"It seems to potentially be, maybe, two groups having some sort of altercation," said the police commissioner. "Unfortunately, as a result of it being a large crime scene, we did stop the parade on Talbot Avenue."
Cox said CACAB's main Caribbean Carnival parade, however, and the remainder of Saturday's events would go on as scheduled.
"We have no interest in having anything but peace among the universe, and so it was very, very difficult for me this morning to know that something occurred when we worked so hard — so incredibly hard — to put on something that is a more family-oriented event and peaceful," said CACAB president Shirley Shillingford.
"This joyous festival of Caribbean heritage may have been affected by senseless violence, but we stand with the many good people here today who will not let this violence define their cultural celebration," Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement.
Cox said Boston police recovered multiple firearms and arrested two people in connection with the shooting. The police commissioner did not identify the suspects who are in custody.
"Today’s mass shooting highlights the gun violence crisis we are facing. This is a public health & public safety emergency," tweeted Boston City Council President Ed Flynn. "Boston police continue to confiscate and recover guns at an alarming rate and now is the time to come together and develop a gun violence strategy in Boston."
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Boston Police confirm seven people shot on Talbot Ave in Dorchester. Multiple firearms recovered and arrests have been made.
You can see the blown out window of this Boys and Girls Club van. It happened around 7:45am during the Caribbean Carnival Jouvert Parade. #wcvb pic.twitter.com/KYSO885Izr
The shooting also happened near the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston's Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club. NewsCenter 5 reporter Brianna Borghi spotted a Boys & Girls Club van in the area that appeared to have its front driver's side window shot out. The van was also tagged with spray paint.
"I am praying for the recovery of the victims, and grateful to the police and first responders who were on the scene. This is an event for children, on a Saturday morning, and it's appalling that bad actors would visit violence and evil on it," reads a statement from Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy.
Cox said anyone with more information about the shooting, including visual evidence, should call Boston police detectives at 617-343-4712. Those who wish to provide an anonymous tip can call 1-800-494-8477 or text the word "TIP" to 27463.
This year marks the 50th anniversary celebration of the Boston Caribbean Carnival parade.
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