On August 13th at approximately 22:05 hours, Boston Police Officers from District D-4 as well as Boston EMS responded the Villa Victoria Projects on West Dedham Street in the South End. After receiving a 911 call reporting shots fired with a person possibly shot, units quickly made there way to the area. In addition to District Officers, K-9 Units, Tactical and Housing Police all responded to the scene as well.
On arrival, officers located an adult male victim suffering from two apparent gunshot wounds to the back. The victim appeared to have been shot in the torso and was in critical condition. On scene the victims family could be seen trying to fight through the officers on scene to get to their loved one but there wasn’t any time to spare. Officers immediately began rendering aid to the man while requesting a push on EMS.
When EMTs and Paramedics arrived they immediately began to treat the man and then transported him to Boston Medical Center. According to radio traffic the victim was in traumatic arrest while en route to the hospital. Tragically, the man eventually succumbed to his injuries was pronounced deceased in the Emergency Department of BMC.
According to sources close to the investigation, the entire incident was captured on a third party security system. In the graphic video, the victim can be seen walking past the suspect who then turns around and fires two rounds into the back of the victim who then falls to the ground. The suspect is then seen running to an awaiting vehicle.
Officers did discover a firearm in the possession of the victim, although Boston Police would not officially confirm it. Our law enforcement sources tell us that the victim is a known member of the local project gang associated with the Villa Victoria Housing Project. Our sources did confirm that the victim did not draw, fire or even go for his weapon, telling us “he just didn’t see it coming” in what they are calling “basically an execution”. They went on to say that this was most likely a targeted, gang related shooting and there was no threat to the public, or at least no additional threat as any shooting could injure or kill any bystander.
Officers immediately began to shut down the surrounding streets and area, putting up crime scene tape and canvasing for evidence and witnesses. Due to the serious nature of the incident the supervisor on scene made full notifications. Homicide Detectives, Crime Scene Response Investigators, the District Attorney and Command Staff members were all alerted and responded to the scene. Late into the night investigators could be seen processing the scene, including marking, photographing and collecting the numerous pieces of evidence.
At this time no arrests have been made and no further information is available. The Boston Police Department continues to review the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident and is asking anyone with information relative to this investigation to contact Boston Police Homicide Detectives at (617) 343-4470.
Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to assist this investigation in an anonymous manner.
