Five injured in Dorchester shooting, including child who suffered critical wounds, police say

Five people were wounded, including a juvenile victim who suffered critical injuries, after gunfire broke out in a Dorchester neighborhood Sunday night, Boston police said.

Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation for multiple gunshots near 50 Ames St. in the Franklin Field housing community at 8:36 p.m., Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said.

Officers found two juvenile and three adult victims suffering gunshot wounds, Cox said. One juvenile victim’s injuries were described as life-threatening. The victims, whose names and ages were not released, were taken to area hospitals.

Cox said the shooting occurred during a large outdoor gathering on Ames Street, directly south of Harambee Park. No arrests were reported.

Speaking to reporters at the scene, Cox appealed to residents to share any information that could help investigators.

“We need the public’s help and support on this as we canvass the area and look for evidence,” he said. “We ask the public, particularly people in this area, if you’ve seen something or saw anything unusual or cars in the area, please let us know.”

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden echoed Cox’s call for the community’s help in the investigation.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the young people who have been shot here,” Hayden said. “One shooting in the city is always going to be one too many. We will never rest, we’re always going to keep going.”

Mayor Michelle Wu condemned the violence.

“I’m angry, I am upset as a mom, as someone who has been working with all of our teams to make sure we can do everything possible to create opportunities in our city,” she said.

Near the shooting scene, multiple Boston police cruisers lined Westview Street onto Ames Street, which was roped off with yellow tape.

“These are the evenings where it just reminds me we can’t move fast enough in working to make sure that all of our young people have what they need, that we’re getting guns off the streets, and that we’re being very clear that safety comes first in Boston, and that has to be in every single part of our city,” Wu said.