David Taber and Rebeca Oliveira
Gazette photo by Rebeca Oliveira
Candles, toys and other mementos line the stretch of sidewalk where Luis “Tito” Torres was found.
Candlelight vigil held
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EGLESTON SQ.—A vigil and memorial were held last night at the Egleston YMCA on Washington Street in honor of Luis “Tito” Torres, 23, who was shot on Boylston Street Saturday evening. Torres died from his injuries yesterday afternoon.
About 80 people went to the memorial and candlelight vigil, including family, neighbors, District 6 City Councilor candidate Matt O’Malley and representatives from City Councilors At-Large Felix Arroyo and Ayanna Pressley’s offices.
Torres was found lying in front of 201 Boylston St. at around 6:15 p.m. Oct. 23, Boston Police Department (BPD) spokesperson Officer James Keneally told the Gazette. Torres was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, before succumbing to his injuries, according to BPD.
Officers located a second victim at the corner of School and Washington Streets. That victim was taken to Boston Medical Center and is being treated for a non-life-threatening injury.
The BPD Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident and urges anyone with information to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 343-4470. Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can either call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at (800) 494-TIPS or text a ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463), according to BPD press materials.
Mark Pelletier, a staffer at the arts, advocacy and youth organization Spontaneous Celebrations, told the Gazette that Torres was close to many youths involved with Beantown Society, a youth organization run by Spontaneous Celebrations.
“The violence this weekend, though incredibly sad, does not mean that the community isn’t moving forward and making progress. It just means that there’s much more to be done,” Egleston Square Main Streets director Betsy Cowan said in an e-mail.
There were two non-fatal daylight shootings in the square in August that injured eight people.
In 2008, Beantown Society youths dealt with a similar situation after 20-year-old Luis Troncoso was fatally shot on a Southwest Corridor park basketball court near the Stony Brook T Station.
Correction: Due to a reporting error, the Gazette incorrectly reported Luis Torres’s age in a previous version of this article.