No arrests in Chelsea teen slay as grief counselors help students
School officials are offering support to shaken Chelsea High School students and their parents as investigators continue to call on the public for help tracking down the person who shot and killed a 15-year-old freshman Friday night.
Jimmy Vasquez lost his life about 5:35 p.m. when a gunman opened fire into a crowd of teenagers who were standing outside an apartment building on Shurtleff Street, Chelsea police say. Two days after the shooting, the school district sent out an automated message to parents and teachers, letting them know grief counselors would be available for them yesterday even though school was closed in observance of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“The counseling went very well today at the high school,” Superintendent Mary Bourque told the Herald. “It went longer than expected, and it was very productive.”
About 40 students and 15 parents took advantage of the counseling, Bourque said, and met at the school “just to discuss what happened and find support.”
The school system will continue to offer support and counseling in the coming weeks, Bourque said.
Authorities say two people wearing hooded sweatshirts approached the group of teens and one of them fired at least nine rounds into the crowd. Vasquez, who was struck in the stomach, later died from his injuries at CHA Everett Hospital. Another 15-year-old was shot in the foot, police said.
Chelsea police Chief Bryan Kyes said investigators have received “some tips, but we are looking for more.”
Kyes said police have not ruled out a possible gang connection and said the crime does not appear to be random.
Kyes said it is unlikely the shooting is related to the spate of homicides in East Boston involving teenagers — with five victims in the past 16 months — all of which have confirmed or suspected gang ties. Cops are searching for a light silver 2010 Toyota Corolla in connection with the shooting and encourage anyone with information to call police at 617-466-4880.