Violence amid celebration
Girl, 8, man shot in Dot, worker stabbed in Hyde Park store July 4
As thousands of Boston residents celebrated Fourth of July evening festivities, Boston police responded to two violent incidents, including a shooting in Dorchester that left two people injured, including an 8-year-old girl.
Boston police Commissioner William Gross said in a press conference Thursday night that the shooting happened just before 11 p.m. at the Mary Hannon Park on Dudley and Folsom streets.
Gross said a 35-year-old man was shot twice in the torso and was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The 8-year-old was shot in the foot, and her injury is not life-threatening.
“It’s not acceptable for an 8-year-old to be injured in this way,” said Gross, according to WBZ. “You’ve heard me say it a million times. Usually the folks who are doing the shootings are repeat, violent offenders, and again, electronic bracelets, stay away orders do not work. Some people have to go to jail.”
“We’re going to have to pull together and make sure things like this don’t happen in our neighborhoods,” Gross continued.
Mayor Martin Walsh, speaking at a public event Friday, said he received the call from Gross after the firework displays. He said Boston police will have more police patrols throughout the weekend.
“I mean, it’s uncalled for,” Walsh told reporters. “Again, these folks that are doing the shooting out there, these are drive-bys, and you know, they’re cowards. They shot an 8-year-old little girl. I hope they feel really good about themselves today.”
“Unfortunately, for some reason, Fourth of July week we always have this situation,” Walsh continued. “I don’t know why people can’t go in and have a cookout and enjoy themselves and just leave it like that. There’s a lot of great people living in the neighborhoods that were affected last night by the violence and they’re fed up. And they’re asking for answers. And we’re going to continue to double our efforts. We had a lot of patrols out there last night. And we’re going to make sure there’s plenty this weekend, to make sure that we reduce the violence.”
Boston police officer Stephen McNulty, a department spokesman, told the Herald on Friday afternoon the man remains in critical condition. “The investigation is still ongoing, and we are urging anyone with information to come forward,” McNulty said.
McNulty said Boston police officers also responded to a stabbing in Hyde Park hours before the shooting.
According to bpdnews.com, Boston police arrested two suspects after a Stop & Shop employee was stabbed inside the Hyde Park store at about 6:54 p.m.
Gerson Moreno, 21, of Dorchester, along with another man, were arrested and appeared in West Roxbury District Court on charges of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery. The employee was transported to an area hospital with not life-threatening injuries.