Published May 31, 2011
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Two young men were killed, a handful of other victims were shot and over 100 police officers reportedly descended on South Boston’s Carson Beach to break up fights over a violent Memorial Day weekend in Boston.
At nearly 10 p.m. Sunday, city police found a 20-year-old man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound in Dorchester. Just over a half an hour later, they discovered a second shooting victim, 22, in Mattapan. Both young men were later pronounced dead, becoming Boston’s 12th and 13th homicide victims of the year — and fourth and fifth victims this month.
From Friday morning to this morning, BPD reports, there were also six non-fatal shootings.
Then yesterday, fights among rival gangs disrupted holiday beachgoers at Carson Beach.
From a State Police statement:
Initially, three Troopers responded and upon their arrival observed several youths from rival Boston Gangs fighting. The intelligence now reveals there was approximately 1,000 youths ages between the ages of 14-19 years gathered around … the participants of the fights. Troopers immediately requested assistance from all available Troopers, Boston Police, Transit Police, and U Mass Police.
The Boston Globe reports there were more than 100 police officers on scene, and that subsequent fights broke out near T stations as the teens fled the beach. State Police told the Globe there were no serious injuries resulting from the fights.
The website the Drudge Report today has featured the “gangs unleashed” on Carson Beach story. We’re following up the beach fights with coverage on Radio Boston today.
Update, 4:40 p.m.:
The Dorchester Youth Collaborative told Radio Boston that no actual gangs were at the beach fight.
Update, 5:15 p.m.:
State Police say they are increasing their presence on beaches in South Boston. The extra police includes uniformed and plainclothes troopers, canine units and both gang and auto-theft task forces.
Update, 6/1:
WBUR’s Bianca Vazquez Toness reports the Carson Beach incident may not have been gang-related at all.