Four recent shootings, including one homicide, in the vicinity of the Stony Brook MBTA station are connected and targeted, according to Boston Police (BPD) E-13 Capt. Alfredo Andres.
Andres made the announcement during a community meeting organized by City Councilor Matt O’Malley on July 21 to discuss the recent spate of violence. Over 60 people packed the room at the Nate Smith House on Lamartine Street, seeking information about the crimes and what they could do to increase safety in the community.
“This [attendance] underscores the need for this meeting,” O’Malley said. “It’s unnerving, scary, when violence comes into your neighborhood.”
No arrests have yet been made in connection to the cases, Andres said. Other police officers present—including about a dozen MBTA Transit Police and BPD officers—said it was “a matter of time” before there are arrests. State police and the BPD Drug Unit also also being consulted on the investigation.
District E-13 is “focused on this like an absolute laser,” O’Malley said.
BPD Deputy Superintendent John Brown said that the violence is “between two groups of people who know each other.” A BPD officer said it is likely related to Mozart Street-area gang activity.
“It’s not specifically gang-related, but there are connections,” said a Transit Police officer.
BPD members also said patrols in the area have been increased.
Andres, who has been in command of E-13 for about six months, said all the events are currently under investigation. He also reminded the attendees that violence is down 16 percent in the district from last year.
He also invited the community to join him at the next E-13 community meeting on Aug. 7, 7 p.m., at E-13 headquarters at 3347 Washington St.
On June 22, a 24-year-old man was killed at School and Arcadia streets, and another, also 24, was injured after a shooting at 6-8 Ernst St., about two blocks away.
On July 7, a 23-year-old man was shot near the entrance to the Stony Brook T Station at around 8 p.m. He was transported to a hospital with wounds described as non-life-threatening.
On July 12, a male victim was shot multiple times around 10:30 p.m. behind a house at 178 School St. He was hospitalized, according to the Boston Police Department.
The BPD Homicide Unit is asking that community members with information about the shootings call 617-343-4470. The anonymous tip line is also open at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting TIP to CRIME (27463).
CORRECTION: This article has been updated to clarify which police agencies were present at the meeting. A BPD officer, not Brown, made the connection to Mozart Street gangs. Andres’s statement that violence was down referred to District 13, not citywide.